PROTECT THE CONSTITUTION BY PASSING NEW DRUG LAW

In reference to the April 14 Dispatch editorial "Constitution abuse," I
agree that the drug-treatment referendum likely to be on the November
ballot inappropriately writes details into the state's constitution that
should be left to legislation. As things stand, however, the proposal,
which would require treatment rather than jail time for first- and
second-time drug possession, has a very good chance of passing.

A Dispatch-sponsored Buckeye State Poll conducted last August found that 74
percent of Ohioans would approve of it. A full 30 percent expressed strong
approval, while only 9 percent strongly disapproved. Despite this
overwhelming support, the General Assembly still can thwart this referendum
easily, thereby preserving its power to tinker with details and
appropriations, simply by passing the substance of the proposal as
legislation before November.

If the law is already on the books, voters easily can be persuaded not to
enshrine it into the Ohio Constitution, as well.

J. Huston McCulloch

Upper Arlington