CHIEF URGES NO ON EIGHT To the Editor: As a responsible law enforcement official, I believe it is my duty to speak out against question 8 that will appear on the statewide ballot this November. I am therefore writing to alert the citizenry not to be fooled by the question's catch title, "Drug Dependency Treatment and the Use of Drug Crime Fines and Forfeitures." All 11 Massachusetts district attorneys have joined the Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association to oppose question 8 for the following reasons: question 8 benefits only drug dealers, because it (1) allows those who profit from selling drugs to repeatedly avoid prosecution by electing "treatment," even if they are not themselves actually drug dependent; (2) permits dealers to keep more of their drug-related assets; and (3) paralyzes law enforcement's ability to investigate narcotics dealing. Question 8, under the guise of expanding drug treatment, is a major step toward decriminalizing drug dealing, because it gives judges unlimited discretion to dismiss charges against repeat drug dealers and traffickers following treatment, leaving them with no criminal record. Massachusetts has a firm mandatory sentencing law for drug dealers. This is not the time to turn back the clock and get soft on drug dealers. Question 8 effectively nullifies existing laws, which provide strict penalties for drug dealers who carry guns. As our officers put their lives on the line every day, let us not send them the wrong message. When drug dealers carry guns, they should know it means jail time. Question 8 deprives state and local law enforcement of virtually all their resources to investigate major drug conspiracies. If we have learned one thing, drug dealers are business people who should not be allowed to profit from their illicit gains. The current law deprives dealers of cash, as well as houses, vehicles, airplanes, and boats purchased from drug sale proceeds. Today, confiscated funds are made available to prosecutors and law enforcement agencies to fight crime and drug traffickers. Depriving law enforcement the resources to combat drug trafficking will result in more drugs and crime in our community. Crime is down in America, due in part to our partnership with the community and our tough policy on drug traffickers. Therefore, do not deprive our attorney general, district attorney, state and local police of funds necessary to fight crime and drug trafficking. I firmly believe that drug treatment programs should be expanded to meet the needs of drug users, yet we should not allow these programs to become havens for drug dealers with no drug addiction. These essential community programs would become a country club alternative to jail - where drug dealers belong! I am a proud and active member of the Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association, and equally proud to serve as the chief of this department. Do not allow the fabric of this community or this wonderful Island to tear beyond repair. Drug dealers must be held accountable for their criminal conduct and destructive actions! I therefore ask you to join me in voting no on ballot question 8. Joseph C. Carter, Chief, Oak Bluffs Police Department
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