YES ON DRUG FELON PLAN

A state bill that would allow certain felons in drug rehab to receive food
stamps and welfare payments is good legislation and sound policy.

Under current federal law, people convicted of felony drug charges are not
allowed to receive food stamps or participate in the welfare program. But
states are allowed to opt out of the federal guideline, and a measure
sponsored by Sen. Thelma Harper, D-Nashville, would do that.

Under Harper's plan, parents fighting drug addictions could receive
financial help as they raise their children. The parents would have to be
either in treatment or have completed treatment to qualify for the aid.

It's a worthy approach. The step is an acknowledgement that drug addiction,
not the family, is the enemy. Some addicts know they need to get off drugs,
and they're trying to do so. But it can be extremely difficult to climb
back to a better life with no assistance. The bill is recognition that
those felons are willing to do what they must to better themselves and
provide for their children.

To be eligible, the parents would have to sign personal responsibility
contracts that would detail the treatment and job training they receive, as
well as take other steps of responsibility such as immunizing their
children. There would be an estimated 80 felons, most of them women, who
would be eligible for the aid under the plan. The bill got a great boost
when it was approved unanimously by the Senate General Welfare Committee.
It is headed for a full vote in the Senate and House.

Drug treatment and rehabilitation are often the most effective way to deal
with many types of crime. Beat the addiction, and you stop the crime. The
measure has the right approach to a difficult problem. The greatest
attribute of the plan is that innocent children would benefit.