Pubdate: Sun, 10 Jun 2001 Source: Associated Press (Wire) Copyright: 2001 Associated Press Cited: Campaign for New Drug Policies http://www.drugreform.org/ Bookmarks: http://www.mapinc.org/soros.htm (Soros, George) http://www.mapinc.org/find?168 (Lewis, Peter) http://www.mapinc.org/sperling.htm (Sperling, John) GROUP TRIES TO GET DRUG TREATMENT MEASURE ON BALLOT A California group supported by billionaire financier George Soros wants Florida voters to approve a measure that would require courts to offer treatment to certain drug offenders. The group is trying to get the constitutional amendment on the 2002 state ballot. The idea, which would be for first and second-time drug offenders, is modeled after California's Proposition 36, approved by voters last year. In addition to Soros, the Campaign for New Drug Policies is also backed by insurance executive Peter Lewis and for-profit university founder John Sperling. The group recently registered with the Secretary of State's office in Tallahassee as the first step toward getting its reform measure on the ballot. The measure, called "Right to Treatment and Rehabilitation for Nonviolent Drug Offenders," would force judges to grant those charged with simple possession of drugs or drug paraphernalia treatment or rehabilitation if they want it, calling it the defendant's right to receive such treatment. Those accused of selling drugs and offenders facing accompanying charges of theft or violent crimes, drunken driving or other serious crimes would be barred from the treatment alternative. The type and length of the appropriate treatment program would be up to a "qualified professional." Treatment would be capped at 18 months. "The concept of drug addiction, when you look at it from almost any other perspective besides that of politics, is that it's a sickness," said Sydney Smith, a Miami defense attorney and chairman of the Florida reform effort. Bill Zimmerman, a California political consultant who heads the Campaign for New Drug Policies, estimated that 10,000 Floridians who meet the criteria of the proposed law, are jailed each year. "We can save the state a great deal of money and save the lives of numerous drug offenders who would otherwise be stigmatized," he told the Naples Daily News for a story published Sunday. "People in large numbers are rejecting the war on drugs." To get on the statewide ballot, the group must get more than 488,000 valid voters' signatures. It must get 10 percent of that by the end of the year to trigger a review by the state attorney general and then the Florida Supreme Court to ensure the measure complies with ballot laws. Among the requirements are that the measure be only about one subject and that the wording be clear. Paid signature gatherers are already working in 15 Florida counties. The ballot language is silent on how the state would pay for more treatment centers to accept additional patients. Zimmerman figures Florida would need to invest $35 million to $40 million annually into expanded drug treatment, but contends that's less than half of what the state would save by decreasing its jail and prison population. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake