Letter to the Editor: Resident writes in support of Issue 1
In November, Ohioans will have the chance to vote on Issue 1, a proposed amendment to the state’s constitution that will reform drug sentencing and treatment. This ballot issue outlines four main changes to the criminal justice system: it reduces low-level, nonviolent drug possession felonies (F4 and F5) to misdemeanors, applying to both current and past offenses; increases the amount of time that can be taken off someone’s prison sentence for participating in treatment programs while serving time; prohibits someone on probation from being sentenced to additional prison time for minor violations, such as missing an appointment on account of not having transportation; and uses the money gained by fewer people being behind bars to fund a grant program with the purpose of improving and increasing drug addiction treatment opportunities in communities throughout Ohio.