Pubdate: Fri, 04 Aug 2000 Source: Lubbock Avalanche-Journal (TX) Copyright: 2000 The Lubbock Avalanche-Journal Contact: http://www.lubbockonline.com/interactive/edit.shtml Website: http://www.lubbockonline.com/ Forum: http://chat.lubbockonline.com:90/eshare/ 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. - --- MAP posted-by: Doc-Hawk