Petition Raises Important Questions On Punishment

Sending fewer drug offenders to prison is not an idea most politicians have
the courage to talk about -- even if it makes sense. So it's good that a
California foundation will force the debate this year with a petition drive
to amend Michigan's Constitution and scale back some of the state's tough
mandatory drug-crime sentences.

The drive, just under way, by the Campaign for New Drug Policies aims to put
the issue before voters in November 2002, targeting sentencing laws that
require judges to impose minimums of up to life without parole.

The ballot proposal will call for creating an independent drug sentencing
commission and mandatory minimum sentences for major drug traffickers. But
it would also require sending first- and second-time low-level drug
offenders into supervised treatment programs. A similar proposal backed by
the group in California in 2000 passed with 61 percent.

Such changes won't solve prison crowding. Michigan already diverts some
low-level drug offenders. In fact, fewer than 5,000 of the state's 47,000
inmates are serving time for drug crimes, though far more have drug-related
problems. Although far cheaper than the $23,000 a year it costs to lock up
an offender, supervised treatment programs also cost money.

Still, the central idea is sound: Treat low-level drug offenders in
supervised treatment programs and save prison space for violent and
dangerous criminals. Any war on drugs must first attack the demand side. One
way to do that is helping people kick their addictions.

Whether or not the ballot proposal passes in Michigan, a healthy debate on
the drug issue should lead to more sensible policies.