| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
Stokes
Cannabis Sacrament Minister
Joined: 28 Nov 2004
Posts: 1426
Location: PA
|
 Posted: Thu Dec 15, 2005 7:51 pm Post subject: Patriot Act Overstepping It's Bounds ... Again |
 |
|
| Quote: |
House passes Boozman drug courts provision
Thursday, Dec 15, 2005
By Alison Vekshin
Stephens Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON -- The House on Wednesday approved a provision aimed at strengthening the powers of local drug courts.
The court provision was included in the extension of the Patriot Act, an anti-terrorism law which passed the House 251-174.
The drug court language came from a bill Rep. John Boozman, R-Ark., introduced in September. It directs the U.S. attorney general to establish standard guidelines for drug testing and require penalties or therapy if an offender fails a test.
"It is going to be an important, effective tool in fighting the war on drugs," Boozman said.
It also requires offenders to be tested for every controlled substance they have been known to abuse and includes $70 million in drug court grants.
Drug courts are eligible for federal aid through the Justice Department's Drug Courts Grant Program.
"We are trying to make sure there is consistency in the programs around the country," Boozman said.
Drug courts provide an alternative to incarceration for those convicted on alcohol- or drug-related charges, or crimes committed under the influence of a controlled substance.
Participants are required to undergo drug screenings, be employed or enrolled in school and take part in a 12-step program or other self-help group.
Boozman said Circuit Court Judge Mary Ann Gunn helped craft the court language. She runs the Washington and Madison County Drug Court and holds court at local schools several times per month to deter students from using drugs.
Gunn applauded the approval of the drug court language, saying that thorough, random drug testing is an integral part of the program and informs the court of the offender's drug of choice.
"Drug court demands a lifestyle change, structure and integrity," Gunn said.
She said 150 participants in the drug court program are being treated and 75 are waiting for an assessment.
The Patriot Act was passed shortly after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks to broaden the definition of terrorism and extended federal investigators' authority in terrorism investigations. Sixteen provisions of the law are set to expire at the end of the month.
Boozman and Rep. Mike Ross, D-Prescott, voted for the extension. Reps. Vic Snyder, D-Little Rock, and Marion Berry, D-Gillett, voted against it.
The Senate is expected to take up the Patriot Act this week. Opponents are expected to challenge language they said would undermine civil liberties and could filibuster the extension.
Sen. Mark Pryor, D-Ark., who supported the original bill, has not decided how he would vote on the extension, said spokesman Rodell Mollineau.
"He wants to make sure the Patriot Act will not be too invasive," Mollineau said.
Sen. Blanche Lincoln, D-Ark., who also backed the original measure, has concerns about the current legislation, said spokesman Drew Goesl.
"She wants to ensure that we take a balanced approach in providing our law enforcement with the tools they need while preserving Americans' rights," Goesl said.
Boozman said if the bill fails in the Senate, "we'll find another vehicle later" for the drug court provisions.
E-mail: avekshin@stephensmedia.com |
Take Action Here: http://action.aclu.org/site/Advocacy?alertId=339&pg=makeACall
_________________
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Where love is, there God is also.
-Mahatma Gandhi |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
|
|
Public Forum
Members only forum
Members Group
| 
