Vote 'NO' on Issue 1

We agree with many in law enforcement who have urged Ohio voters to reject Issue 1, the constitutional amendment that would reduce sentencing times for people convicted of drug possession.A number of sheriffs, prosecutors, and recovery addicts all have said the change would remove a powerful tool law enforcement has to that helps addicted people start on a road to recovery: arrest and punishment.The amendment to the constitution was not written by state lawmakers — the proper place where adjustments in sentencing should be considered — but rather with a private group that petitioned and gathered enough support to put the measure on the ballot.This too is a reason voters should be wary to approve it. The only way to undo the changes would be for a new group to petition and get another amendment change on the ballot and approved statewide. That's a high bar. Legislating through constitutional amendments is simply a bad idea, in our view.But the language in Issue 1 also is problematic. It would make possession a misdemeanor, even for large quantities of any drugs — including heroin, fentanyl, opiates and other drugs — that go far beyond personal use. The proposed constitutional amendment would encourage dealers to flood Ohio with drugs, law enforcement officials claim even though drug trafficking would remain a felony under the proposal.Under current law, anyone caught with a large quantity of illegal drugs is presumed to be a drug trafficker. Treating possession of even large amounts of fentanyl as the equivalent of a traffic ticket will aid drug dealers, they say, and we agree."Issue 1 will flood Ohio streets with drugs," Erie County Sheriff Paul Sigsworth said. Erie County Prosecutor Kevin Baxter contends passage of Issue 1 would be a boon for drug dealers.We do appreciate the sentiment that treatment for addiction is the better alternative than incarceration, but few, if any, people go to prison for a first time offense of possessing a small amount of drugs. The prisons are not being flooded with addicts arrested for the first time, according to Baxter.State Rep. Steve Arndt, R-Port Clinton, said an important reason to vote against Issue 1 is that it is a constitutional amendment.Groups opposing passage of the state question include the Buckeye State Sheriffs' Association and the Ohio Prosecuting Attorneys Association. The Ohio Supreme Court's Chief Justice, Maureen O'Connor, has also released an opinion piece denouncing the state question.We urge residents to reject the proposal.Vote "No" on Issue 1.