Pubdate: Fri, 24 Nov 2000
Source: Augusta Chronicle, The (GA)
Copyright: 2000 The Augusta Chronicle
Contact:  (LTEs from GA & SC only)
Address: 725 Broad Street, Augusta, GA 30901
Website: http://www.augustachronicle.com/

GOING SOFT ON DRUGS

Whether it be entertainment, fashion or politics, California is often
credited with being a trendsetter for the nation. If true, then the
nation is in for a big change in how it deals with drug addiction.

In the Nov. 7 election, Californians gave more than 60 percent
approval to Proposition 36, to requiring judges to sentence
non-violent first-time drug users to treatment instead of jail.

This shows that Golden State voters are prepared to abandon "tough on
crime" and "zero drug tolerance" policies for something they regard as
more humane.

Remarkably, that sentiment was vigorously opposed by every
law-enforcement entity in California, plus virtually every politician
in both parties from Democratic Gov. Gray Davis on down.

The state's most influential newspapers - liberal and conservative -
weighed in against it, too. Police, prosecutors and judges warned that
giving what's essentially a free pass to even first-time drug
offenders would lead to more drug usage, distribution and crime.

It isn't that political and law-enforcement establishments are against
treatment for addicts, it's that there's nothing in the referendum to
encourage addicts to succeed in treatment. The incentive is to use the
program to stay out on the streets.

The initiative also, according to experts who have looked at it,
weakens law-enforcement's hand in controlling drug trafficking,
particularly in poorer neighborhoods where drugs are most rampant.

Another serious problem is there's no mechanism available to treat the
thousands of offenders police annually apprehend. This is why Prop 36
also calls for the state Department of Alcohol and Drugs to spend $120
million a year on treatment. Yet this agency is so small and
underfunded that it hasn't even had a director since Davis won the
governorship two years. No doubt he'll get on that now.

But before the rest of the country follows California in going soft on
drugs, it would be useful to wait a year or two to see who's right
about the new drug approach - voters or their leaders. If it's the
latter, Californians may be prepared to again change course, veering
away from treatment to incarceration.
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MAP posted-by: Derek