Pubdate: Tue, 27 Mar 2012
Source: Rocky Mountain Collegian, The (Colorado State U, CO Edu)
Copyright: 2012 Rocky Mountain Collegian
Contact: http://www.collegian.com/home/lettertotheeditor/
Website: http://www.collegian.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1370
Author: Jason Pohl

BILL COULD REDUCE PENALTIES FOR CERTAIN SUBSTANCE POSSESSION

Drug laws in Colorado continue to go under the microscope, most
recently as lawmakers decide whether or not to reduce sentencing for
people caught with certain illegal substances containing
methamphetamine.

Supporters of Senate Bill 163 say the current system ineffectively
drains resources while targeting addicts and users needing help. Under
a revamped system, they say those groups would have greater access to
community treatment facilities while serious offenders like dealers
would be the focus of more harsh legal sanctions.

"The road to recovery is long and challenging, but a detour to prison
and a felony conviction on one's record only make it more daunting,"
said Sen. Pat Steadman, D-Denver, in a statement on his official
website. "We can be smarter in our approach, and SB 163 is the next
step in getting us there."

Steadman did not return calls or an email from the Collegian.

If passed, the bill would reduce the punishment for possession of less
than four grams of a substance containing any type of methamphetamine
from a class six felony to a class one misdemeanor. Likewise,
possession of more than four grams of the drug would result in a
reduction from a class-four to a class-six felony.

Steadman is joined by Sen. Shawn Mitchell, R-Broomfield, who last week
announced a close family member had gone through the jail system
during a meth addiction.

Mitchell, too, was unavailable for comment at the time of publication
but was quoted in the Denver Post as saying "This is not legalization.
This is not decriminalization. This is simply a smarter approach to
fighting the evils of drug abuse in our society."

The bill also calls for a deeper examination of the jails, funding and
treatment facilities.

But not everyone is convinced this type of legislative change is best
for the state -- at least not based on current trends.

"I'm absolutely, positively open to looking at alternate ways to
dealing with these types of cases," said Larimer County Sheriff Justin
Smith, who was quick to caution this is not the most complete and
thought out plan.

Smith called for additional in-depth studies and police consultation
before any sort of sweeping legislation is passed. Further, he cited a
reduction in crimes over the years coinciding with a "get-tough"
approach to drug laws.

Senate Bill 163 currently has bipartisan support in the Colorado House
and Senate, and will go before the Senate Judiciary Committee
Wednesday, marking another step of controversy surrounding the state's
drug laws, especially in an election year like 2012.

"The fate of this bill is anything but set," according to John
Straayer, a political science professor at CSU. "It's always risky
predicting bill outcomes in an election year but, yes, I believe this
bill does have a chance."

He explained the redistricting that has taken place has mixed up the
constituent base. This, he said, can change the game quickly.

"You might see some 'no' votes coming from members who fear being
labeled 'soft on crime,'" he added.

At the same time, efforts to legalize pot in varying degrees continue
to dominate the upcoming November election in Colorado with some
reaching as far as saying it should be legalized like alcohol and tobacco.

"I do believe that public opinion is changing some and gives bills
like this a better chance of passage," Straayer said. "But I doubt if
this bill, in and of itself, signals any impending major and
broad-based change in law."
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