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By Chris Buttars
Utah State Senator, District 10

The Drug Offender Reform Act (DORA) is, without a doubt, the most exciting, innovative change in law enforcement and corrections philosophy in 100 years. I was glad to see it pass the legislature this year without a single dissenting vote.

Here is how it works. DORA provides for intense drug screening to every felon prior to sentencing. We’re well aware that over 80 percent of the 6400 people we have incarcerated have a substance abuse problem. Up to this point, all we’ve done is lock them away for crimes (usually property crimes) they have committed to fund their habit. We put them in prison for 1 to 3 and provide no treatment. When they are released they tend to be back in jail within 60 days.

Our Drug Courts have shown that non-violent offenders who commit crimes just to feed addictions can enter an intense treatment program and be very successful. They can stay out of jail, stay in their home, keep their jobs, pay taxes and actually beat the monster that is controlling their lives.

Under DORA, the drug screening information is given to the judge. If it is determined that the situation is non-violent and that the crime had a direct relationship to feeding their addiction (and after meeting a few other requirements), the judge has the option to impose drug treatment for a year, followed by two years of close monitoring.

Over the last nine years, Drug Courts have demonstrated that treatment can drop recidivism by over 60 percent. DORA’s 18 month test-pilot in Salt Lake City sent 250 felons to a drug treatment program instead of prison, and the results were very encouraging.

We’ve been out of state prison beds for over a year. We have had to contract with cities and counties to house state prisoners. We believe, as DORA achieves full implementation, we could empty as many as 2000 of our 6400 state prison beds.

Everyone wins. There are no losers. The state will save tens of millions of dollars and people will get their lives back. Property crime will drop, and families will be preserved.

3 Comments:

 4:20 said...

I love Dora the explorer. I didn't even know that the state funded Dora. I figured it was a private sector kind of thing.

But seriously, this is a good idea.

Next step: LEGALIZE IT! I mean, what's wrong with smoking a couple reefers on the weekend anyway?

3/07/2007 10:18 PM  

 Rocky Mountain High said...

Right on 4:20. Weed is good. They should pass out some weed during floor debates. This would make everyone mellow.

3/08/2007 8:17 AM  

 Puff the Magic Dragon said...

Weed is good in MODERATION. On social issues (weed consumption would be a social issue), our legislators are hardly moderate.

They're better off sticking with Diet Coke.

3/08/2007 3:52 PM  

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