HAGAN BACKS DRUG TREATMENT INITIATIVE

Columbus - Declaring "we all know someone who has struggled with
addiction," Democratic gubernatorial candidate Tim Hagan has endorsed
a ballot issue that would require the state to offer treatment,
instead of incarceration, to some nonviolent drug offenders.

His position places him at odds with Gov. Bob Taft, who is helping to
lead the campaign to defeat state Issue 1.

The issue would radically overhaul drug possession laws by changing
the Ohio Constitution to require the state to offer treatment, in lieu
of jail, to most nonviolent drug users. It calls for the state to
spend $247 million over a seven-year period and would limit to 90 days
the sentence that eligible offenders can receive. Drug traffickers
would not be eligible.

Taft and other opponents say it would undermine Ohio's existing
network of drug courts and place drug offenders at the head of the
line, ahead of addicts with no criminal records, for treatment programs.

Hagan said Saturday that he still believes that drug policy is best
addressed in state law - not the Ohio Constitution. Still, he said
Issue 1 provides the best avenue for change because the
Republican-ruled General Assembly had failed to hold even one hearing
on a bill that would change Ohio law to require treatment for most
nonviolent drug offenders. The stalled bill is sponsored by his
brother, Sen. Robert Hagan of Youngstown.

Despite Issue 1's price, Hagan said he agrees with supporters who
believe it would reduce crime by targeting chronic addicts and save
money in the long run because treatment costs far less than jail.

Hagan also cautioned against concluding that drug addiction affects
only people in urban areas. He noted the recent troubles of Noelle
Bush, daughter of Florida Gov. Jeb Bush. Police reported that a
two-gram rock of crack cocaine was found inside her shoe by workers at
the central Florida rehabilitation center where she is undergoing
court-ordered treatment.

Ohio is filled with "individuals who, if given the help they need, can
once again become productive citizens," Hagan said. "We owe it to them
and we owe it to ourselves to give them that opportunity."