ARE NARCOTICS TASK FORCES WORTH THE INVESTMENT WE MAKE IN THEM

Two area narcotics task forces may lose their money and be forced to stop
operating. While some have been quick to warn of a flood of drugs through
South Texas, perhaps the elimination of the narcotics task forces would be
a positive development. It is unfortunate that some officers may be losing
their livelihoods, but maybe that money could be better spent.

The task forces have supposedly made 450 arrests in the past three years,
but I would bet most of these individuals were low-level, non-violent
offenders. The non-violent offender population in Texas jails and prisons
is greater than the entire prison population in England and France. Much of
this is because of the devastating war on drugs that has resulted in the
arrests and incarceration of many offenders for petty crimes like
possession of small amounts of a controlled substance. These offenders are
often people of color and often juveniles or women. By locking up these
folks, we are taking them away from their families and using resources that
could be better spent on education and treatment programs.

This year the Texas Legislature has had to deal with an enormous budget
deficit that is resulting in cuts to numerous programs. My organization,
along with many others, has tried to make the case for lowering sentences
and eliminating programs like these narcotics task forces - this money
could go to programs that are more desperately needed. Moreover, these
narcotics task forces take up more than just state funds as they often
require local matching dollars, which might otherwise be used to fund
positive programs that give young people a reason to stay away from drugs
and drug trafficking. Since 1986, Texas spending on corrections has grown
at seven times the rate of spending on higher education, yet we haven't
enjoyed any significant decreases in crime.

Our priorities must change, and the "tough-on-crime" policies of the '90s
must be recognized as ill-conceived.

If officials really care about the drug problem in this country or in South
Texas, they might do better to support drug treatment over law enforcement.
Studies have shown that offenders who go through drug treatment are much
less likely to re-offend than those who were denied treatment. In the long
run, such programs are better for our communities and cost less than the
money we spend on police, prosecutors and prisons for offenders who return
again and again.

Indeed, in some cases grant money used for regional narcotics task forces
can be used for specialized drug courts that would help steer offenders
into the treatment they need. It's just a matter of applying for the grants
next year.

Regional narcotics task forces throughout Texas have faced increasing
scrutiny lately. It was such a task force that was responsible for the
tragedy in Tulia, where a large segment of the black community was locked
up for crimes they never committed. With an enormous budget crunch, and
with spending cuts on programs for children and the poor, it seems almost
irresponsible to continue funding this piece of the increasingly
out-of-fashion drug war.

The elimination of the task forces should be seen, not as a crisis, but as
incredible opportunity.