FILL THE JAILS, FAIL THE VICTIMS

Voters: Beware of unintended consequences and vote "no" on
Proposition 301. If this proposition passes, it would deny hundreds
of people the opportunity for drug treatment and would clog our
prisons with more non-violent addicts.

A study was done recently in Nebraska for the Department of
Correctional Services (reported in /The Republic/). It showed that
the get-tough meth law that took effect there last year, combined
with normal expected growth in the prison population, will require
many additional prison beds and will cost millions.

Where will the funding come from for the Arizona Department of
Corrections if this proposition passes?

Treatment for all addicts is far more cost-effective than
incarceration, and certainly more humane. The 1996 voter-approved
Drug Medicalization, Prevention and Control Act, which provides
probation and treatment for low-level drug offenders, must continue
to be honored. And it has saved millions of tax dollars.

Let's give low-level, non-violent meth users the chance to
participate in a successful, proven drug treatment program. Don't
discriminate. Meth addiction is treatable. Judges already have the
authority to sentence all violent offenders to prison. It is
overzealous prosecutors who want to further their conviction rate for
political purposes that have convinced legislators to re-write the
original voter-approved initiative.

In 1996, Arizona voters got it right the first time!

Roma Thomas, Sun City West