DRUG-TREATMENT PETITION DELAYED

Sponsors of a petition drive to let low-level drug offenders avoid jail
time by entering treatment programs have decided against trying to make the
November ballot.

Instead, the Campaign for New Drug Policies has set its sights on the 2004
ballot, its Florida chairman said Wednesday.

"We're pulling out," Sydney Smith said from his Miami office. "It's too late."

The campaign is awaiting word from the Florida Supreme Court, which decides
whether citizen initiatives are fairly explained and deal with just one issue.

The state's high court heard oral arguments in December but has not yet ruled.

As well as getting the green light from the Supreme Court, petition drive
sponsors must collect a half-million signatures to make the ballot.

Smith said supporters had collected an estimated 300,000 signatures.

The measure is called "Right to Treatment for Rehabilitation for Non-
Violent Drug Offenses." It would let people charged or convicted of
possession or purchases of illegal drugs go into a treatment program and
avoid trial or jail.

The treatment option would be limited to a first or second offense, and
people facing felony charges or serious misdemeanors would not be eligible.

The idea is modeled after California's Proposition 36, approved by voters
last year. A Santa Monica organization called Campaign for New Drug
Policies is backing the Florida effort and has given $313,000 toward the
petition drive.

Dave Fratello, political director of the Campaign for New Drug Policies in
Los Angeles, called Florida's initiative process dysfunctional and cumbersome.

"With barely more than two months left to collect signatures, it would be
far too expensive and uncertain to try to make this November's ballot,"
Fratello said. "Instead, win or lose at the Supreme Court this year, we
will postpone our campaign and work toward a vote in November 2004."

The Florida Alcohol and Drug Abuse Association, which represents
community-based treatment and prevention providers, called the initiative
seriously flawed.

"The decision by sponsors of the 'Right to Treatment' ballot initiative to
withdraw their measure represents a major victory for all Floridians," said
John Daigle, executive director of the group.