Christie debates drug treatment vs. jail time

Currently in New Jersey, if you're a first-time, non-violent drug offender, you're sent to treatment instead of prison. On NJ 101.5's Ask The Governor program Tuesday night, responding to a caller, Gov. Chris Christie put his full support behind the current statute.

The governor was asked by a listener, whose son is addicted to heroin, whether both jail time and treatment would be wise for people brought up on drug charges.

Christie said the answer depends on the case, but for those who had never had a run-in with the law, treatment is the better option.

"I want to try to save people the first time they come in contact with the system," Christie said. "If they're more than the first time, then a little taste of jail may not hurt anybody."

Christie said jail time is not commonly the solution to a drug problem.