Pubdate: Sun, 02 Nov 2008 Source: Seattle Post-Intelligencer (WA) Copyright: 2008 Seattle Post-Intelligencer Contact: http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/408 Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization) KING COUNTY BUDGET: RETHINK DRUG LAWS The King County Council is beginning its tough conversation about resources. How much less for criminal justice programs? Health clinics? And on and on. This is a government's version of the question every parent faces, "Which child do you love best?" We love them all. Each program has an important role -- and a constituency.But county government does not have the option of spending money it doesn't have. Every budget is balanced at the end of the day.Lisa Daugaard of The Defender Association makes the case that King County will underfund public criminal defense, making the system's maze more difficult for first time, nonviolent offenders.That may be. But this could also be a great opportunity to rethink the enforcement of drug laws by both the city and county governments. What if resources could be shifted from the prosecution of low-level drug crimes into recovery programs? Daugaard argues that fewer misdemeanor drug-related arrests by the city of Seattle, for example, could reduce the need for a new regional jail.One way ahead might be a regional summit that brings together all the stakeholders, ranging from law enforcement to those managing treatment programs. Yes, legislation would be required, and in a hurry, at that. But what if a limited budget forces a new order? This might be an ideal time to swap "drug crimes" (or worse, "war on drugs") with the notion that drug use should be treated in the public health arena. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin