Dave Clegg’s Smart Policy on Drug Crimes
I
grew up in Utah, certainly one of the reddest states in the nation, so
recent news from Salt Lake County was, to me, breathtaking.
The Salt Lake Tribune reports that the County District Attorney
will reduce the convictions for many non-violent felony drug crimes to
misdemeanors. More than 12,000 individuals who were tried between 1997
and 2015 will therefore be “eligible for expungement
and a variety of benefits, as well as certain housing and jobs.” (https://www.sltrib.com/news/2019/09/24/salt-lake-county-is/
In
other words, rock-ribbed Republican Utah will join the rapidly
advancing national movement to re-think how the criminal justice system
addresses the “war on drugs.” Increasingly, we understand
that building bigger prisons and jails is a losing proposition.
Instead, drug use and addiction treated as mental health issues are far
more likely to bend toward positive—and cost effective--social
solutions.
The
opioid crisis has put a glaring spotlight on the personal tragedies
that have struck all neighborhoods and all ranges of families in the
country. Overdose deaths gather full attention, but
less publicized are the ways in which those convicted of drug crimes
face barriers to rehabilitation when they are released. In Utah,
ex-addict Tony Radjen described how when he “looked for employment and
housing [I] found out very quickly that my past would
be an obstacle to opportunity and security.”
On
November 5 Ulster County will elect a new district attorney, who will
have an enormous impact on how drug-use crimes are addressed. Using his
discretion, he can channel charged individuals
to drug courts, strengthen alternatives to incarceration and
restorative justice, and lobby for increased county resources for mental
health services. The candidate who will chart this new direction for
Ulster County is Democrat Dave Clegg. He has pledged
a commitment to all of these reforms, even as he promises to prosecute
violent felons who prey on the vulnerable. Clegg will work closely with
Ulster County Sheriff Juan Figueroa to address the opioid crisis with
sensible and humane policies.
Many
addicts are our children, and children of our friends and neighbors.
We want them to have an opportunity to build a new life after drugs. We
voters should look for the District Attorney
candidate who pledges to join hands with communities across the country
like Salt Lake. Red and blue can unite for the benefit of all. That
candidate is Dave Clegg.
publishing history:
Daily Freeman (edited) 10/8/19
New Paltz Times, Kingston Times 10/10
No comments:
Post a Comment