Opinion: Many drug offenders need punishment, not just treatment

Neighbors still trying  to recover from fatal fire
Updated 3 min. ago
Churches want end to ‘shooting and killing’
10:56 p.m.
Gun turn-in will include some questions
10:54 p.m.
State jobless rate jumps to 10.5 percent
10:12 p.m.
Area bike trail gets $250K for development
10:02 p.m.
> More headlines

By Rachel Hutzel, Contributing Writer Updated 4:08 PM Tuesday, June 23, 2009

President Barack Obama has recently appointed Gil Kerlikowske as Director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy. While Kerlikowske has some good ideas, there are a few that I take issue with.

The new director has identified the misuse of pharmaceuticals like oxycontin as one of his top priorities. National and local statistics indicate that the fastest growing drug problem in the country is prescription drug abuse. Focusing resources on prescription monitoring methods is appropriate.

Kerlikowske advocates the diversion of funds from law enforcement and prisons to treatment and needle exchange programs for drug users. Kerlikowske argues that anti-drug efforts in this country should be led by public health officials and not law enforcement officials. Here, I disagree with the director.

In my office, approximately one in five felonies is a drug possession or drug trafficking charge. Nevertheless, an estimated 85 percent to 90 percent of the felonies committed in Warren County are drug or alcohol-related. Many thefts are committed to get drug money. The majority of traffic-related deaths are drug or alcohol-related. And personal crimes such as child endangering and domestic violence are usually fueled by drugs or alcohol.

Many of those charged with possession receive treatment at the expense of the county. Last year, many drug felonies in Warren County received court-ordered and taxpayer-funded treatment, referred to in the Ohio Revised Code as “treatment in lieu of conviction.” Many of those charged with drug possession successfully complete needed treatment, and never re-offend. Others do re-offend.

Treatment, without punishment, is unfair to victims of drug-motivated crimes, such as that committed by Roxie Luff in a Warren County nursing home recently. Luff stole pain medication from elderly patients who suffered needlessly as a result of her drug addiction.

Further, treatment is ineffective to deal with dealers such as Nicholas Lozier, convicted of dealing cocaine and ecstasy in Warren County. Many drug dealers like Lozier are “businessmen,” who profit enormously from the addiction of others. Lozier is a criminal who was, and should be, punished by the criminal justice system.

Stanley Hall caused permanent brain damage to 2-year-old Marilyn while using drugs. It is not fair to Marilyn to simply treat her tormentor rather than to punish him.

Many drug crimes should continue to be dealt with harshly. The people who are harmed by the selfish, destructive acts of drug users and drug dealers deserve nothing less.

Rachel Hutzel is the Warren County prosecutor.

Share this article

ADD COMMENT

Comments feed

it is quite simple legalize pot. tax it allow the people to grow up to four plants with our without permits. the officials are going to rape us of our hard worked money, for those that still have jobs, so they may aswell give us a curtisy reach around. just just legalize tax however and take the money equation our of the dealers hands. which means the officers can crack down on the serious drug's and leave everyone else alone

stand4freedom
8:34 PM, 6/30/2009

REPORT ABUSE

Ms Hutzel. Do your job and stop playing to the uneducated. You state that tax payers pay for treatment. True. Who do you think pays for incarceration and which do you think is more expensive? Treat the non violent and incarcerate the violent. Individuals in treatment often can maintain employment and pay for some or all of their treatment and make restitution. Those incarcerated are supported by tax payers and often can not obtain future employment even if drug treatment is successful.

Former Demo
8:10 PM, 6/27/2009

REPORT ABUSE

No one should EVER go to jail (or be punished in any way, including forced treatment) for doing something to their own bodies. Autonomy over one's body is among the most basic and self-evident of all fundamental human rights. To not understand is to fail to grasp the notion of political freedom as envisioned by our country's founders.

Drug warriors have inflicted an indescribable amount of damage on their country and their world for no good reason; history will not judge them kindly.

freedom is the answer
10:05 PM, 6/25/2009

REPORT ABUSE

By all means, lets continue to try the law enforcement approach to drug control. Its been going so well why change anything at all?? What this "writer" conviently forgot to mention is that most "drug crime" is actually caused by drug prohibition not drug use. This writer is part of the problem not the solution. Outlaw tobbacco and you will start to see many of the same problems we currently see with other illegal drugs. Lets try regulation and control. Building more prisons won't work.

John
7:00 PM, 6/25/2009

REPORT ABUSE

Wow what a shock Rachel Hutzel is using the media to further her political agenda. She is a shamless self-promoter and I am sick of her moralistic self rightious opinions. Ms Hutzel acts as though we are all stupid and she is sooooo smart. Go away!

Howie Feltersnatch
2:38 PM, 6/25/2009

REPORT ABUSE

There are 15 additional comments

SHOW ALL

We welcome your comments. Please remember this is a public forum and behave appropriately. Your comments must conform to our visitor's agreement.