DA RIPS BIG $ DRUG-LAW REFORM BACKERS

Suffolk County District Attorney Ralph Martin yesterday lashed out at the
big-money backers of a drug-law reform ballot question, saying billionaire
George Soros and other Question 8 supporters ought to show their faces in
Massachusetts.

"Let them come to Massachusetts and see what ravages their support for this
question will ensure," Martin said. "Let them come to the neighborhoods in
Dorchester and Roxbury, and in Brockton and Springfield and Lawrence."

The controversial measure would divert fines for drug crimes and seized
assets in law enforcement custody into a fund for drug treatment. It would
also allow judges the discretion to order first- and second-time drug
offenders into treatment programs rather than jail.

Soros, a New York financier, has pumped more than $537,000 into the
Question 8 campaign as part of a mission to support such legislation around
the country.

Other wealthy donors include Arizona millionaire John Sperling ($292,500)
and Cleveland insurance magnate Peter Lewis ($562,500).

Martin also called on the three men to "come to these communities and
debate the police chiefs and the district attorneys."

But local supporters of the ballot question called the challenge absurd.

"That's like asking George Bush's campaign contributors to debate Al Gore,"
said Thomas Kiley, a former assistant attorney general who helped draft the
language in Question 8. "I'm the treasurer of the coalition. I'm the
creator of the political committee. To the extent there is a Mr. Question
8, it's me. And I gladly accept the (debate) challenge."

Still, opponents said Soros and the other big-money donors owe it to
Massachusetts voters to explain why they're trying to shape public policy
here when they live elsewhere.

"This is all about three guys who want to turn our country into a drug
zone," said Charley Manning, a Republican political consultant and
organizer for the Question 8 opposition.

But Question 8 organizer and spokeswoman Mary Fifield said the money issue
should be turned on its ear. She charged that Martin and other public
officials, including Gov. Paul Cellucci, are politicking against the
measure on the public's time and money.