Pubdate: Fri, 16 Mar 2007 Source: Leader Times (PA) Copyright: 2007 Leader Times Contact: http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/leadertimes/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3297 Author: Patrick Shuster DRUG WAR CALLS FOR TOUGHNESS NORTH BUFFALO -- Implementing stiffer penalties, more education programs and increased rehabilitation efforts were just some of the recommendations suggested by local police and prosecutors during a special task force meeting to discuss the state's war on drugs. State Rep. Jeff Pyle, R-Ford City, who was chosen to head the House Task Force on Drugs and Law Enforcement, along with several other state representatives on the Republican Policy Committee, heard from county police officers, district judges, prosecutors and treatment professionals Thursday during one of six meetings across the state to discuss the issue. "The proliferation of drugs throughout the Commonwealth is a very serious problem," Pyle said. 'We need to address this problem and give the people on the front line fighting this fight the necessary tools to get drugs off the streets and out of our neighborhoods." Kittanning police Chief Ed Cassesse and Armstrong County detective Frank Pitzer suggested the Legislature implement mandatory minimum sentencing for those arrested on drug charges. "I would like to see legislation in place where if you are arrested for dealing drugs, and you are out on bond and caught with drugs again, there should be a mandatory minimum sentence," Cassesse said. "We need something stronger to keep these people in jail, so that they aren't back out on the streets in a few days." Pitzer also asked for legislation that would allow for the forfeiture of any weapons held by those arrested on drug charges. "Even if the guns are not being used in the crimes they are arrested for, it allows for a potentially deadly situation," he said. "Our goal is to provide officer safety at all times and when these dealers are allowed to possess firearms, it raises the chances of an officer being injured or killed that much higher." Also testifying was Armstrong County President Judge Joseph Nickleach, who suggested that a combination of education, punishment and rehabilitation are key to helping curb the problem. "We need programs to deal with people who are true drug addicts," he said. "We have very good counseling and treatment programs through ARC Manor and other agencies, but we need to do more to provide a way for these people to break the cycle of addiction and repeat offenses." Among others who testified were Lt. Tom Dubovi, station commander for the state police East Franklin station; District Judge Guy Haberl of Indiana County; Kay Owen, director of ARC Manor; and Indiana County Common Pleas Judge Gregory Olson. The task force members hearing testimony included Republican Reps. Pyle, Dave Reed of Indiana, Mike Turzai of Allegheny County, Richard Stevenson of Mercer, Jim Marshall of Beaver County and Curt Sonney of Erie. The task force will continue to hold similar meetings around the state and will use the information and recommendations to consider future legislation or changes to existing legislation, Pyle said. - --- MAP posted-by: Steve Heath