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Florida Gov. Opposes Easing Drug Laws
March 18, 2008

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News Summary

Concerned about prison overcrowding and costs, some Florida lawmakers want to reform the state's drug laws to allow for more diversion to treatment and other changes. But Florida Gov. Charlie Crist is opposing changes that would offer alternatives to incarceration for nonviolent drug offenders, the Miami Herald reported March 15.

The Florida House and Senate are considering bills that would set up a commission to review mandatory-minimum drug sentences and allow for early and supervised work release for nonviolent offenders, among other changes.

"That's the old way; throw a drug addict in jail.  But now we know treatment works, it's better and it's cheaper,"said Sen. Victor Crist (no relation to the governor), chair of the state Senate's criminal-justice appropriations committee. "If you're a violent criminal, you belong in a cell. If you're a drug addict, you belong in a rehab program."

Gov. Crist, however, wants to maintain the status quo. "It's important to make sure that we do what the first order of business is, and that is to ensure domestic tranquility -- make sure that our people are safe -- and that means locking up bad people," he said. As for allowing alternative sentencing for nonviolent criminals, Crist said, "I feel that our laws are good in Florida. They were thoughtfully put in place. And I know there is a budget crunch. But I don't want to sacrifice public safety."

State lawmakers are currently studying the Florida prison population to help determine how many inmates might be eligible for diversion to treatment.

Gov. Crist acknowledged that he personally has smoked marijuana. "I've said many times, people make mistakes," he said. "And what I support about the law is the deterrent effect. Having said that, I'm also recommending about $28 million for substance-abuse [treatment], to help people who might have an addiction or problem with a substance. I think that's important to do as well. I think we have to have balance."

COMMENTS ON THIS ARTICLE:

Posted by Tracy on 30 Mar 08 04:26 PM EDT
Election time is coming and Charlie Crist will not be getting my vote. If he is not smart enough to stop locking people up for drugs, rather than get them help then he needs to go.

Posted by Kelly on 24 Mar 08 02:29 PM EDT
I agree, treatment is the best option for non-violent offenders. Statistics already prove that most crimes are committed when the person is high. We provide a year-long, faith-based residential program & have a DOC contract that is completely dried up due to funding issues. Our 60-bed facility allows inmates to choose our Year-long program to treat their addiction as they transition back into society. It IS a win-win situation. They volunteer for a yr. & get 5-6 hrs of class a week under strict accountability. It clearly is better than incarceration & reduces recidivism - which is the Goal. Orlando, Fresh Start Ministries

Posted by matthew gissen,CAP on 19 Mar 08 12:27 PM EDT
Addiction is and has been determined to be a disease. Treatment works and the Governor should be all for treatment. Removing non-violent offenders from the prison system would serve two purposes. Reduced prison costs for new construction as well as operations and treating addition. Sounds like a win-win solution to an endless problem of building prisons.

Posted by rochelle on 19 Mar 08 12:21 PM EDT
my fiance is in prison now for drug and alcohol addiction.he was sentenced to 18 monthes for a victimless crime.he asked for rehab and could you believe he was denied then to top it off he is in a prison that offers no substance abuse classes.what is wrong with this state? here a man is wasting space in prison when he could be in a rehab dealing with his problem and getting the help he deserves.quit looking at substance abuse as a crime and look at it as a problem and try to help these people.prison is not the place for these people

Posted by Pat Toon on 19 Mar 08 09:19 AM EDT
Governor Crist appears to be making another bad choice for Floridians. How many does it take? Our primary election votes do not count, the promise for significant help with real estate taxes was really not a significant help, etc., etc.. We are paying for these non violent addicts who need help, not incarceration for their illness, to be incarcerated and then released to use again because they received no significant treatment. No wonder more people are now moving out of Florida than there are people moving to Florida.

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