Pubdate: Fri, 04 Aug 2000
Source: Lubbock Avalanche-Journal (TX)
Copyright: 2000 The Lubbock Avalanche-Journal
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NM DRUG SENTENCES

A PUBLIC DEFENDER told New Mexico's interim legislative Courts and Criminal
Justice Committee last week that the state could reduce prison crowding,
save money and cut crime by lessening the penalties for drug possession and
emphasizing treatment for addicts. We believe she was only half right.
Lessening penalties is the wrong approach.

Prison crowding wouldn't be affected because the sentences of incarcerated
felons wouldn't be reduced. Lessening the consequences for possessing
controlled substances would make drug use more attractive. The volume of
drug convictions would increase.

Crime wouldn't be reduced either because other felony offenses would
increase as drug users turn to property crimes for money to feed their drug
habits.

The proposal also wouldn't save money because the state's prisons would
remain full. In fact, it could be more costly because of the increase in the
volume of prosecutions.

This issue is of concern to South Plains residents because New Mexico would
become a new pipeline for drugs into Texas if the penalties for possession
were reduced.

But there may be a Texas solution to New Mexico's problem. Several years ago
the state began building felony substance abuse facilities where individuals
convicted on drug charges receive retreatment. Similar facilities could work
in New Mexico, too. Treatment is required for rehabilitation.
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