Jeffrey Lange pleaded guilty to aggravated assault in 1991 and was sentenced to five years' probation and ordered to enroll in an alcohol-treatment program.

The past decade is a blur of failed alcohol-treatment programs and life on the streets.

Those who favor the closing, however, argue that the Corrections Department does not have the expertise to operate a drug- and alcohol-treatment program.

Ronald himself has been in alcohol-treatment programs for years.

They note, for example, that he wants to cut $41 million for drug- and alcohol-treatment programs in the fiscal year that begins on April 1.

About 12,000 inmates participated in drug- and alcohol-treatment programs last year, up from 7,000 in recent years.

Above all, we need an increase in public funding for community-based drug- and alcohol-treatment programs.

Mets officials declined further comment about Spencer, but it is conceivable they will encourage him to enroll in an alcohol-treatment program.

He was also sentenced to 100 hours of community service and instructed to complete an alcohol-treatment program.

Mr. Nickolopoulos said that inmates with drug and alcohol problems must be required to undergo available drug- and alcohol-treatment programs to demonstrate their fitness for release.