METH DEALERS AREN'T SIMILAR TO SEX OFFENDERS

The Issue: Drug Abuse

Our Opinion: The Meth Registry Rep. Ralph Ayres Proposes Is Unlike
The Sex Registry. The Purpose Of The Sex Registry Is To Protect
People From Sex Crimes Because Of The High Recidivism

Should drug dealers be treated the same as sex offenders? A proposal
by state Rep. Ralph Ayres, R-Chesterton, begs that question.

Ayres said last week the legislative study committee he is leading
will look at whether Indiana should create a meth registry to track
people convicted of dealing or manufacturing methamphetamine.
Illinois and three other states have meth registries similar to that
used for sex offenders.

Meth is causing serious damage to the social fabric, particularly in
rural communities.

But there's a big difference between drug abuse and sex crimes.

With drug abuse, the user generally makes a choice -- albeit a bad
one -- to begin using drugs. The same is not true for victims of sex crimes.

The sex offender registries used by all 50 states and the federal
government serves a useful purpose. It warns potential victims about
predators who might live or work nearby.

The recidivism rate for sex offenders is extremely high, so there's a
strong chance the offender might be tempted to commit new offenses.
In warning parents, schools and others of nearby offenders, the
registry encourages them to take the necessary steps to keep children
and other potential victims out of harm's way.

Ayres' agony over meth is understandable.

He wants to warn landlords, neighbors and others when a past meth
dealer or manufacturer wants to move in.

But the bottom line is that drug abusers are, generally speaking,
willing participants in the crime. Sex crime victims aren't. That's a
big difference.

The meth registry is going too far.