Stop jailing the mentally ill, including addicts

The Drug War has been a constant point of contention fought vigorously in this county for decades. It remains one of the most destructive forces for low-income people in our area. In 1999, this county sent more people into prison for drug crimes than any other crimes combined. Drug arrests account for too large a number of convictions, while at the same time, has done little to stop the inflow of drugs and their use.

Most drug convictions are aimed at the poor and mostly minorities. While the white middle class and the University students are merely fined for their drug and alcohol use (in fact, alcohol selling has become an "economic renaissance" for the downtowns), police and prosecutors hunt down the addicted and street peddlers in poor neighborhoods insisting on long prison sentences.

Police often disregard search and seizure regulations and using secret informants to create a "snitch culture" that breeds distrust and dishonesty in our community. Prohibition has brought violence into the low income areas.

Meanwhile, the treatment facilities such as the Prairie Center and others go underfunded and understaffed. The newly founded Drug Court that allows drug users the chance to work on their addictions to stay out of jail, only serves a handful of the number of addicts who go through the system.

Most disturbing is the rhetoric of a former State's Attorney who is now presiding Judge. The center of Tom Difanis's political campaigns was promises to prosecute drug crimes the harshest. As presiding judge in the 6th Circuit, Difanis is notorious for his long sentences for drug addicts. His imprisonments are merciless, harsh, excessive, and often he mocks and insults defendants as he announces his sentencing decisions.

Champaign County needs to rethink its drug policy. Drug addiction is a serious disease, and incarceration does little to address the problem. A return to a medical outlook of drug addiction is going to require an expansion of treatment facilities and a recommitment to seeing the addicted as people. While the middle class has enjoyed this emphathy, the black family needs to be treated similarly.



Priorities for Justice About Us Meetings are every Saturday at 4 PM in the Independent Media Center in the downtown Urbana post office building.		Stop jailing the mentally ill, including addicts The Drug War has been a constant point of contention fought vigorously in this county for decades. It remains one of the most destructive forces for low-income people in our area. In 1999, this county sent more people into prison for drug crimes than any other crimes combined. Drug arrests account for too large a number of convictions, while at the same time, has done little to stop the inflow of drugs and their use. Most drug convictions are aimed at the poor and mostly minorities. While the white middle class and the University students are merely fined for their drug and alcohol use (in fact, alcohol selling has become an "economic renaissance" for the downtowns), police and prosecutors hunt down the addicted and street peddlers in poor neighborhoods insisting on long prison sentences. Police often disregard search and seizure regulations and using secret informants to create a "snitch culture" that breeds distrust and dishonesty in our community. Prohibition has brought violence into the low income areas. Meanwhile, the treatment facilities such as the Prairie Center and others go underfunded and understaffed. The newly founded Drug Court that allows drug users the chance to work on their addictions to stay out of jail, only serves a handful of the number of addicts who go through the system. Most disturbing is the rhetoric of a former State's Attorney who is now presiding Judge. The center of Tom Difanis's political campaigns was promises to prosecute drug crimes the harshest. As presiding judge in the 6th Circuit, Difanis is notorious for his long sentences for drug addicts. His imprisonments are merciless, harsh, excessive, and often he mocks and insults defendants as he announces his sentencing decisions. Champaign County needs to rethink its drug policy. Drug addiction is a serious disease, and incarceration does little to address the problem. A return to a medical outlook of drug addiction is going to require an expansion of treatment facilities and a recommitment to seeing the addicted as people. While the middle class has enjoyed this emphathy, the black family needs to be treated similarly.