Pubdate: Thu, 17 Oct 2002
Source: Dayton Daily News (OH)
Copyright: 2002 Dayton Daily News
Contact:  http://www.activedayton.com/partners/ddn/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/120
Author: Kristy Eckert, Columbus Bureau

TOP ANTI-DRUG OFFICIAL OPPOSES STATE ISSUE ONE

The nation's top anti-drug official opposes state Issue One, the proposed 
constitutional amendment that would require treating certain drug offenders 
instead of jailing them.

John Walters, director of the White House Office of National Drug Control 
Policy, on Wednesday called Issue One a bad idea.

"It will weaken the tools that the institutions have to get people into 
treatment," said Walters, who coordinates all federal drug programs and 
spending.

But Ed Orlett, director of the group backing the issue, said new tools are 
needed in America's war on drugs.

"It's not going to answer all the problems, but it's better to light one 
candle than curse the darkness," Orlett said.

Walters said Ohio has done a good job linking the criminal justice system 
with treatment, noting that judges in the state already have the power to 
sentence drug users to treatment instead of jail. The amendment would make 
treatment mandatory.

Walters said denial is a problem with drug addicts and the threat of 
incarceration is needed so people won't deny their addiction.

"We should not expunge people's need to recollect this problem and get 
help," he said.

Also, in a bad budget environment, it is not wise to add a constitutional 
amendment that requires funding, he said. Issue One mandates $247 million 
over a seven-year period.

Orlett retorted that in America, political power is in the hands of the 
people, and that 780,000 Ohioans signed petitions to get Issue One on the 
ballot.
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