cannabisnews.com: The Public Says Yes To Redirecting Drug War 





The Public Says Yes To Redirecting Drug War 
Posted by FoM on December 06, 2000 at 16:07:30 PT
By Joanne Jacobs
Source: Daily Camera 
Actor Robert Downey Jr. spent a year in Corcoran State Prison. Less than four months ago, he was paroled. Cast as the new love interest on "Ally McBeal" and offered a part in an forthcoming "Hamlet," Downey seemed to be reviving his career. Last week, he was arrested again. He'll be arraigned Dec. 27 on charges that call for a minimum of three years behind bars.His crime? He's a drug addict. His victim? Robert Downey Jr.
His only hope? A truce in the war on drugs.American voters split down the middle in picking a president this year. But on drug policy, a clear majority is emerging: Americans want to get smart on drugs.Drug policy issues were on the ballot in six states. The results show that Americans are willing to rethink drug-control strategies in pragmatic ways. The movement's slogan might be: Make Sense, Not War."Go to treatment," said California voters. "Go directly to drug treatment. Do not rot in jail. Do not cost millions of dollars in prison costs."In passing Proposition 36 by a 61 percent margin, voters decided that non-violent offenders shouldn't be locked up for drug possession unless they flunk two chances at rehab. People who've failed drug treatment in the past get a fresh start under the law, which goes into effect July 1.The law provides $180 million in start-up costs, then $120 million to fund new treatment options. It will divert 36,000 Californians from cells to treatment centers, estimates the Legislative Analyst. That would save about $500 million in prison construction and about $225 million a year in operating costs, the analyst predicted.A Rand report released just before the election predicted Proposition 36 will reduce crime: Studies show drug offenders in treatment programs are much less likely to commit crimes then and later.Proposition 36 was based on an Arizona initiative passed five years ago that's credited — by some — with lowering jail costs and helping some users stay out of trouble.Making it all work in California will not be easy. The state needs to expand the treatment system, beef up parole follow-up and add money for drug testing, which 36 does not fund.But even if 36 doesn't fulfill the projections, it's got to be better than what we've been doing. Some 30 percent of California inmates are locked up on drug charges. More than 80 percent have a drug or alcohol problem, according to state correction officials.Like Downey, many users backslide again and again. Some eventually are able to maintain a drug-free life; others can't kick their habits completely but can reduce their use of drugs and the criminal behavior that supports it.California isn't the only state where the voters are seeking to put more money into drug treatment and roll back excesses of the drug war.On Election Day, conservative Utah limited asset forfeiture, mostly used in drug cases; 69 percent of voters said the government must prove by "clear and convincing evidence" that property it wishes to confiscate was involved in a crime. Profits from seizures will go to public education, not law enforcement.Liberal Oregon passed a similar law by a 66 percent margin: Property can't be confiscated without conviction of a crime, and proceeds of forfeitures must go to fund drug treatment not law enforcement.Nevada and Colorado passed constitutional amendments letting patients with certain illnesses use marijuana, if recommended by a physician. Both set up a state-run confidential registry of patients allowed to grow and use marijuana. Nevada's law directs the state legislature to create a legal supply for medicinal marijuana users.In California, Mendocino County voters went a step further, backing a countywide initiative to decriminalize backyard marijuana gardens.Medicinal marijuana is a proven winner at the polls, despite fierce opposition from the feds. In earlier elections, voters OK'd medicinal marijuana in California, Oregon, Alaska, Washington State, Maine and Washington, D.C.Only in Massachusetts did a drug peace measure fail: 53 percent of voters rejected a measure expanding eligibility for treatment, instead of jail, and redirecting forfeitures to a drug treatment fund.The public's pragmatism deserves smarter, more sensible leadership from the federal government. The public is ready for a change. Now we need a leader. Note: Joanne Jacobs is a member of the San Jose Mercury News editorial board. Readers may write to her at: 750 Ridder Park Dr., San Jose, Calif. 95190, or e-mail to: Jjacobs sjmercury.comSource: Daily Camera (CO)Author: Joanne JacobsPublished: December 6, 2000Copyright: 2000 The Daily Camera.Address: Open Forum, Daily Camera, P.O. Box 591Boulder, CO 80306Fax: 303-449-9358Contact: openforum thedailycamera.comWebsite: http://www.bouldernews.com/Related Articles:Downey's Arrest Shows Futility of Spending More http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread7893.shtmlRobert Downey's Problem--and Ours http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread7821.shtmlCannabisNews Articles - Robert Downey Jr.http://cannabisnews.com/thcgi/search.pl?K=Robert+Downey+Jr.
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Comment #2 posted by FoM on December 08, 2000 at 11:02:23 PT:
Related Article
$60 Million Paid Into Fund for Prop. 36 Drug ProgramSource: San Jose Mercury News (CA)Published: Friday, Dec. 8, 2000Copyright: 2000 San Jose Mercury NewsAddress: 750 Ridder Park Drive, San Jose, CA 95190Fax: (408) 271-3792Contact: letters sjmercury.comWebsite: http://www.sjmercury.com/CannabisNews Articles - Proposition 36http://cannabisnews.com/thcgi/search.pl?K=Proposition+36The state released $60 million Thursday into a special fund to start paying for drug treatment under a measure approved by voters last month.The Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs will give the money to local addiction treatment providers and county probation departments under the provisions of Proposition 36.The ballot initiative requires that first- and second-time drug possession offenders be sent to treatment programs instead of jail or prison.But there aren't enough treatment slots nor are probation departments geared up to handle the estimated 36,000 offenders who may start flooding the program when it begins in July.Proposition 36, approved by 61 percent of voters Nov. 7, requires the money to be released six months early so the counties can start preparing for the influx.Once the program begins, $120 million a year will go to fund offenders' treatment and supervision.
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Comment #1 posted by Smokeless in Seattle on December 07, 2000 at 04:33:22 PT
Just one thing...
WHy, I ask, do states have to pass laws that prohibit such asset seizures and forfeitures in the first place? Hasn't anyone read the Constitution?The tragic fact is that people were so whipped up in this war on drugs thing that they were satisfied to IGNORE the constitution and let the cops declare open season on civil rights in the first place.
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