Drug reform act heads to Senate floor

Once again the Drug Offenders Reform Act is out of starting gate with broad support from numerous groups. But in the past such support hasn't saved it from the budget ax.

The question is, will lawmakers make a multi-million-dollar investment in offering statewide drug treatment for drug-addicted felons?

State officials estimate between 70 percent to 80 percent of all inmates in Utah's jails and prisons suffer from an underlying drug problem. And the theory goes, if one treats the drug problem, the drug user is less likely to commit a crime.

Supporters of the Drug Offenders Reform Act, which would expand the availability of drug treatment to inmates statewide, are trying to convince lawmakers that an initial investment up front could result in millions saved in less prison inmates as well as huge societal benefits. But with a $16 million price tag, it may take some convincing.

"This is the greatest change that's ever happened to corrections in Utah in the past one hundred years," said Sen. Chris Buttars, R-West Jordan, during a hearing of the Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Standing Committee on Tuesday. Buttars is the sponsor of SB50, also known as the Drug Offenders Reform Act, which advanced to the Senate floor by a unanimous vote.

For several years Buttars has tried, but failed, to convince his fellow lawmakers to invest millions up front to expand drug treatment for Utah inmates as a way to curb the ever-growing rates of drug-related crimes. Currently only 18 percent of the inmate population actually receives drug treatment.

DORA would divert non-violent felony offenders into drug treatment. Depending on the nature of their case, offenders are placed in out-patient treatment and are allowed to live at home and work, or are placed in a 24-hour facility. Buttars said it costs $29,000 a year to house an inmate. Given that more than 4,200 of the total 6,200 Utah inmates have a drug problem, DORA could save the state millions as well as make communities more safe.

Few bills at the capitol have gained as much broad and bi-partisan support as DORA. Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff joined a large group in voicing support for the bill, including representatives of the Utah Prosecutors Association, Salt Lake Legal Defenders Association, Salt Lake County Substance Abuse Services, Utah Courts, Utah Sheriff's Association, Adult Probation and Parole and the Utah Department of Corrections.

"Locking people up is not going to stop this problem," Shurtleff told lawmakers. "Our state needs this."