cannabisnews.com: Governor Unveils $540 Million Drug Plan 





Governor Unveils $540 Million Drug Plan 
Posted by FoM on September 11, 1999 at 18:43:18 PT
Source: Tampa Bay Online
ORLANDO, Fla.Gov. Jeb Bush formally announced Friday a $540 million state anti-drug plan that will try to cut the number of drug users in half in five years.
``This plan represents a bold step toward a more drug-free Florida,'' Bush said at the Center for Drug-Free Living, his first of three stops. He also planned visits in St. Petersburg and the Miami suburb of Opa-locka, accompanied by state drug czar Jim McDonough, state Senate President Toni Jennings, House Speaker John Thrasher and U.S. Rep. John Mica. ``I am confident that by attacking drug abuse in the coordinated and comprehensive manner in this strategy, we will begin to turn the tide against illegal drug use in our state,'' Bush said. The plan will add nearly 9,500 beds at drug treatment centers, two drug enforcement units in South Florida and one in central Florida, eight prosecutors and public defenders and four positions in the statewide prosecutor's office. The plan also would strip away a defendant's right to depose law enforcement officers in drug cases and give a tax break to companies that give random drug tests. An additional $39.1 million from the state's settlement with the tobacco industry will be used to pay for an anti-tobacco media campaigned geared toward young people. Funds also would cover a program covering infants born to drug-addicted mothers and support a survey on the drug habits of young people. ``We need to change the whole culture,'' Bush said. ``It shouldn't be cool for young people to drink or do drugs. I hope there will be a whole culture of young people who are changing the way that all of us look at drugs.'' The drug problem in Florida appears to be worse than other parts of the nation, said McDonough. About 1.2 million Floridians, or about 8 percent of the state's population, use drugs compared to about 6.4 percent of the U.S. population. About 65 percent of the cocaine seized by the U.S. Customs Service passes through Florida. ``The policy symbolizes our hope for the future,'' McDonough said. Pubdate: 9/10/99 -- 3:13 PMCopyright 1999 Associated Press© 1999, The Tribune Co., Tampa, FLOpa-locka on Bush Anti-Drug Tour - 9/10/99http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread2833.shtmlBush Hopes Anti-Drug Program Reduces Drug Use-9/01/99http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread2714.shtml
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Comment #2 posted by FoM on September 12, 1999 at 06:09:51 PT
What I Want To Know
What I find is interesting about Jeb Bush's drug policy is that brother George will have to answer questions on his feelings about the drug war. He might be able to avoid saying if and when he stopped doing drugs of any sort but what should the penality be for himself (George Jr.). I think it is a legitimate question.
G.W. Bush
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Comment #1 posted by observer on September 11, 1999 at 20:29:14 PT
strip away a defendant's right
"The plan also would strip away a defendant's right to depose law enforcement officers in drug cases"Oh look ... this must be the first time everyone's rights have been trashed to 'stamp out drugs'.
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