Politicians have traditionally addressed a growing crime problem in America by increasing the use and length of incarceration for more and more offenses. Our unprecedented and morally indefensible incarceration rate (large-scale imprisonment reinforces rather than remedies criminal behavior) has created a sinkhole for hundreds of billions of dollars and millions of lives. A primary factor in the costly debacle is the "war on drugs," which has produced more and longer prison sentences as well as an increased number of arrests for drug users. The only resolution of this situation is to decriminalize the Nation's drug use laws along with the institution of treatment for drug addicts. Another means of reducing the costly and ineffective use of prison is to increase the number of innovative community-based sanctions. These measures will not only reduce prison and jail overcrowding but will also allow offenders to continue in job and family responsibilities, as well as decrease the cost of corrections without compromising public safety.