DRUG CRIMES

Support Treatment For Non-Violent Offenders

On rare occasions, something happens akin to the "stars aligning": Reform
legislation comes along that represents enlightened public policy leading
to improved health for at-risk communities and huge financial savings for
the public pocketbook that is the morally right thing to do.

Together with the leaders of the American Baptist Churches of Wisconsin,
Archdiocese of Milwaukee, Episcopal Diocese of Milwaukee, Lakeland Baptist
Association, Presbyterian Church (USA), United Church of Christ, United
Methodist Church and Wisconsin Council of Rabbis, I write to raise this
important matter.

We believe just such legislation is now before our state lawmakers. Senate
Bill 496 is a proposal to sentence non-violent offenders convicted of
drug-related crimes to treatment instead of prison.

The devastation wreaked by drugs in our society, particularly in low-income
communities, cannot be overestimated. This legislation would lead to a huge
financial savings for taxpayers.

It costs $21,000 per year to keep one person in prison; a year of treatment
costs $5,500. A conservative estimate, based on Arizona's experience with
treatment rather than prison, is that Wisconsin would save $10 million per
year. The economic benefit is compounded when one considers that people in
treatment can work, providing support for their families and paying taxes
to the state.

Passing this legislation is the moral and rational thing to do. Our
religious traditions commit us to working for the dignity and restoration
to health of all people. Warehousing people in prison - particularly people
who have not shown violent behavior - cannot be justified morally or
rationally.

We urge support for this enlightened and profitable legislation.

The Rev. Peter Rogness

Bishop Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Milwaukee