TAFT CALLS PROPOSAL FOR DRUG TREATMENT A 'REVOLVING DOOR'

Governor Says He'll Fight Initiative

A proposed state constitutional amendment on drug treatment would "set back
Ohio's progress in the war against addiction," Gov. Bob Taft said yesterday.

Taft said he and his wife, Hope, "will be first in line to vote no" if the
issue makes the Nov. 5 ballot.

The proposed ballot issue would substitute treatment for jail time for
first- and second-time drug-possession offenders.

Supporters of the amendment have about one-third of the 335,442 valid
signatures from registered voters needed to put the issue on the ballot.

The governor launched his most blunt attacks to date against the drug issue
during the opening day of the Ohio Summit on Alcohol & Other Drug Issues
yesterday at the Greater Columbus Convention Center.

Taft said that if approved by voters, the issue would undermine state drug
courts; provide an automatic right to treatment for users of hard drugs
such as heroin, LSD and cocaine; and offer "ineffective, revolving-door
drug treatment." The issue would leave out treatment for juveniles facing
substance-abuse problems and adults dealing with alcoholism, the Republican
governor said.

Not everyone attending the two-day conference agreed with Taft's critical
assessment of the issue. Some people said the issue, right or wrong,
prompts much-needed discussion of drug treatment.

"There's not all bad in this initiative," said Jay Salvage, executive
director of the Lucas County Board of Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services.
"There are many flaws, and this may not be exactly the way to go at it, but
we have to look at it as a broader public-health issue."

In some ways, said John P. Bohley Jr., director of the Butler County
Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services Board, "treatment in lieu of
incarceration makes sense."

Treatment professionals are sensitive to the ballot issue's promise of new
money for drug treatment: $38 million a year.

"We need additional resources," said Steve Hedge, director of the
Delaware-Morrow County Mental Health and Recovery Services Board. "Budget
cuts are hurting." He said treatment providers are beginning to feel the
squeeze between Taft and issue supporters.

"We're being wooed by both sides," he said.

Pat Bridgman, associate director of the Ohio Council of Behavioral
Healthcare Providers, said alternative proposals from the Taft
administration or state lawmakers would be welcome.

Edward J. Orlett, a former state lawmaker and spokesman for the Ohio
Campaign for New Drug Policies, said Taft is "desperate for an issue and
has decided to run against us."

Orlett labeled as "so offensive" Taft's claim that people charged with
crimes such as auto theft and burglary could escape punishment if they were
in possession of drugs at the time of their arrests. The language for the
issue clearly says people charged with such crimes are not eligible for
drug-treatment diversion, he said.

Taft said he will help raise money for a campaign to fight the issue. That
campaign is expected to raise about $1 million.

The issue is being backed by three wealthy businessmen: Progressive
Insurance Chief Executive Officer Peter B. Lewis, philanthropist George
Soros and University of Arizona founder John G. Sperling. They are expected
to spend about $3 million on the issue.