LEGISLATION WOULD CREATE VOLUNTARY DRUG COURTS

Dear Editor:

The Illinois Senate will soon consider Senate Bill 138, that would create a
voluntary drug court program in the state. Several other state legislatures
are also considering drug court bills, but the Illinois bill is far superior.

Drug courts and associated drug treatment do great things when they help
the seriously addicted gain control over their drug use and when they
reduce the number of non-violent offenders behind bars. Often, however,
coercing a marijuana-user into treatment is more psychologically invasive,
more expensive and can last longer than the punishments he or she might
have otherwise received.

SB 138 is different because it would create voluntary drug courts. In order
to qualify, an offender must admit to have a drug addiction and must be
amenable to treatment. Because marijuana is not physically addictive, it
will be easy for marijuana users to avoid coerced treatment and pay the
fines or serve the time required by law.

Ultimately, the state should not punish adults who use marijuana
responsibly. For now, Illinois is at least avoiding a mistake many other
states make.

Kat DeBurgh, Legislative Analyst Marijuana Policy Project Washington, DC