DRUGS: TREATMENT BETTER THAN JAIL TIME

The Blade's July 14 editorial on the Ohio Drug Treatment Initiative sums up
opponents' arguments against it. Readers will want to consider information
in support of this issue also.

The initiative would provide treatment instead of prosecution or jail time
for non-violent, first-or second-time drug possession offenders only. Drug
traffickers, violent offenders, and drivers-under-the-influence would not
be eligible.

Treatment is not required for those who reject it or screw up. They would
go to jail just the same as they do now. Judges are given that authority,
contrary to what opponents claim. A copy of the initiative can be found at
www.ohiodrugreform.org for verification.

Drug treatment instead of prison will save money. Prison costs six times
the cost of treatment for a year in Ohio. Thousands of young Ohioans get a
"scarlet F" (felony) record for drug possession. This disqualifies them for
student loans and many job opportunities.

This initiative has nothing to do with legalizing or decriminalizing
marijuana or any other drug. What is proposed is the logical extension and
expansion of the present drug court system. Only half, or 24, of Ohio's
drug courts process adult felony offenders. These courts only serve a total
of about 1,500 of the 6,000 Ohioans charged with felony drug possession
each year.

The initiative is a constitutional amendment as any Ohio ballot issue that
appropriates money must be. Ohio voters have passed 18 previous
appropriation amendments to address other social problems.

Why not an amendment for this important social need?

Legislation similar to this initiative has not received a hearing in Ohio.
A ballot issue - with funding - is the only way to address Ohio's drug
problems.

EDWARD J. ORLETT

Director, Ohio Campaign For New Drug Policies, Columbus