SMART ON CRIME WITH DRUG COURTS

No politician wants to be known as soft on crime. But simplistic
bumper-sticker monikers mask solutions to complicated problems, such as
the handling of nonviolent drug offenders.

State Reps. Ida Ballasiotes, Mercer Island Republican, and Ruth Kagi,
Lake Forest Park Democrat, are promoting a bill to better manage drug
offenders who are crowding courtrooms and prisons.

Their bill modifies sentencing for certain offenders, slashing prison
time and costs. Instead of wasting money warehousing people, the money
would be used for treatment aimed at ending the cycle of substance
abuse.

Eligible offenders whose crimes meet specific criteria would go to drug
courts, waive a trial and undergo treatment. They do so now. SHB 1863
bolsters and expands the program. Drug abusers still do plenty of time
but the focus is more on treatment than days logged in prison.

Reducing sentences makes some lawmakers nervous. After all, crime is
down. Why mess with success?

Ballasiotes and Kagi offer compelling reasons. Prison building and
prisoner maintenance are enormously expensive. The state spends $1
billion incarcerating people. Nearly one-quarter of them are nonviolent
drug offenders. Tough on crime doesn't always mean smart on crime.

The bill applies to heroin and cocaine users but does not affect
methamphetamine users because meth is law enforcement's nemesis.

Numerous law-enforcement officials, including Norm Maleng, Republican
King County prosecuting attorney, back the bill because it spends money
more efficiently. Obviously, treatment doesn't work for every heroin or
coke user, but re-arrest rates for treatment graduates drop by at least
40 percent.

Savings range from $775,000 this biennium to $19 million from 2003-2005,
and the money is ploughed back into treatment.

The bill is stuck in a Legislature overwhelmed by everything from
earthquakes to Boeing's announcement. Passing this legislation doesn't
improve the tight-budget climate, but it would give lawmakers crowing
rights that they used limited funds more efficiently.