Pubdate: Wed, 28 Jan 2004 Source: Salt Lake Tribune (UT) Copyright: 2004 The Salt Lake Tribune Contact: http://www.sltrib.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/383 Author: Dan Harrie Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/rehab.htm (Treatment) TO TREAT OR LOCK UP: SENATE BACKS NEW DRUG-OFFENSE POLICY The Conservative, Republican-Controlled, Tough-On-Crime Utah Legislature Apparently Has A Nurturing Side. So it seemed Tuesday when senators advanced a measure aimed at taking a new approach to drug-addicted criminals: steering them toward treatment rather than locking them up. "Drug addiction responds to treatment," said Sen. Chris Buttars, R-West Jordan and sponsor of the bill. "In many ways these offenders are victims themselves. They never intended to get into this." He said if the Legislature goes along, it could revolutionize the state's approach to crime, diverting hundreds of prison-bound criminals into treatment. Not only could it save millions of dollars, he added, it also would be more humane. Buttars, known as a rock-ribbed conservative, was not the only Republican who seemed to bleed a bit from the heart. "We have to find a way to reach those that have fallen victim to drugs," insisted Sen. James Evans, R-Salt Lake City, another stalwart Senate conservative. "How much more is it costing us to not address this problem?" Senators then voted unanimously in favor of the measure. The bill requires a second Senate vote before it could advance to the House. Senate Bill 21 does not dictate to judges that drug-addicted criminals be treated rather than incarcerated. It leaves sentencing up to the discretion of judges but ensures that more information about a convicted felon's substance-abuse problem be presented to the court. Beginning July 1, anyone convicted or pleading guilty to a drug felony would undergo screening and assessment for drug abuse prior to sentencing. The mandate would expand next year to include the screening and assessment for all convicted felons, whatever their crime. Ron Gordon, of the state Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice (CCJJ), said support for a different approach to drug-addicted criminals has not popped up overnight and isn't unique to Utah. "A lot of states started to look at this because of budget problems, and as they looked at it, they realized it was just the right thing to do," Gordon said. The CCJJ worked closely with state corrections officials and lawmakers last summer examining the current system. Cost savings was a big part of the allure of emphasizing treatment, leading eventually to enthusiastic endorsement by the Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Interim Committee, of which Buttars is Senate chairman. Buttars urged fellow lawmakers Tuesday to imagine taxpayer savings if one-third of the state's 5,700 prisoners could be diverted to treatment programs. The treatment alternative costs an average of $3,500 annually per person, as opposed to $30,000 to keep a person in prison for a year -- a potential savings of more than $50 million. Moreover, it could free up hundreds of beds for violent criminals and sex offenders and ultimately allow the state to put off building new multimillion-dollar prisons. But Buttars acknowledged it will cost taxpayers a significant upfront investment to realize the benefits. The bill carries an estimated price tag of more than $1 million. But the real cost would be nearly $6.5 million because of the need for a dramatic increase in treatment programs. Gov. Olene Walker did not include the funding in her budget, but spokeswoman Amanda Covington said she likes the concept of drug courts in the state, where treatment is emphasized over prison time. "And she feels that it is a good bill." - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom