CHIEF URGES NO ON EIGHT

To the Editor:

As a responsible law enforcement official, I believe it is my duty to speak
out against question 8 that will appear on the statewide ballot this
November. I am therefore writing to alert the citizenry not to be fooled by
the question's catch title, "Drug Dependency Treatment and the Use of Drug
Crime Fines and Forfeitures."

All 11 Massachusetts district attorneys have joined the Massachusetts
Chiefs of Police Association to oppose question 8 for the following
reasons: question 8 benefits only drug dealers, because it (1) allows those
who profit from selling drugs to repeatedly avoid prosecution by electing
"treatment," even if they are not themselves actually drug dependent; (2)
permits dealers to keep more of their drug-related assets; and (3)
paralyzes law enforcement's ability to investigate narcotics dealing.

Question 8, under the guise of expanding drug treatment, is a major step
toward decriminalizing drug dealing, because it gives judges unlimited
discretion to dismiss charges against repeat drug dealers and traffickers
following treatment, leaving them with no criminal record. Massachusetts
has a firm mandatory sentencing law for drug dealers. This is not the time
to turn back the clock and get soft on drug dealers.

Question 8 effectively nullifies existing laws, which provide strict
penalties for drug dealers who carry guns. As our officers put their lives
on the line every day, let us not send them the wrong message. When drug
dealers carry guns, they should know it means jail time.

Question 8 deprives state and local law enforcement of virtually all their
resources to investigate major drug conspiracies.

If we have learned one thing, drug dealers are business people who should
not be allowed to profit from their illicit gains. The current law deprives
dealers of cash, as well as houses, vehicles, airplanes, and boats
purchased from drug sale proceeds. Today, confiscated funds are made
available to prosecutors and law enforcement agencies to fight crime and
drug traffickers. Depriving law enforcement the resources to combat drug
trafficking will result in more drugs and crime in our community.

Crime is down in America, due in part to our partnership with the community
and our tough policy on drug traffickers. Therefore, do not deprive our
attorney general, district attorney, state and local police of funds
necessary to fight crime and drug trafficking.

I firmly believe that drug treatment programs should be expanded to meet
the needs of drug users, yet we should not allow these programs to become
havens for drug dealers with no drug addiction. These essential community
programs would become a country club alternative to jail - where drug
dealers belong!

I am a proud and active member of the Massachusetts Chiefs of Police
Association, and equally proud to serve as the chief of this department. Do
not allow the fabric of this community or this wonderful Island to tear
beyond repair. Drug dealers must be held accountable for their criminal
conduct and destructive actions! I therefore ask you to join me in voting
no on ballot question 8.

Joseph C. Carter, Chief, Oak Bluffs Police Department