Fla. Drug-Reform Ballot Initiative Withdrawn April 29, 2002
News Summary
Sponsors of Florida's Right To Treatment and Rehabilitation for Nonviolent Drug Offenses ballot initiative were forced to withdraw the measure because of delays by the Florida Supreme Court, Alcoholism & Drug Abuse Weekly reported April 22."It has been eight months since we submitted signatures to trigger Supreme Court review, but the court still has not ruled," said Dave Fratello, political director of the Campaign for New Drug Policies, which is sponsoring the Florida ballot initiative. "With barely more than two months left to collect signatures, it would be far too expensive and uncertain to try to make this November's ballot."
The measure called for treatment instead of incarceration for first- and second-time nonviolent drug offenses.
Drug-court professionals, state officials, and some state lawmakers were pleased that the initiative has been withdrawn. John Daigle, executive director of the Florida Alcohol and Drug Abuse Association, said the initiative was seriously flawed.
He and others opposed to the measure said the state should focus on implementing the governor's drug strategy, which addresses closing the treatment gap.
Fratello said the campaign would work towards placing the initiative on the November 2004 ballot.
COMMENTS ON THIS ARTICLE: