Past Events

Speaker Series: In the past year 2001 we have traveled to Worcester, Lynn, Newton and Cambridge (and walked to a Boston event), and spoken to groups about the value of treatment instead of incarceration for many drug offenders. Our presentations have been well received, both by interested members of the general public (at forums held in Worcester and Newton) and by members of host organizations.
Particularly at the civic group events (such as Rotary or Lions Club functions), we have been pleased to find ourselves acting as the catalyst for spirited discussions. One of our hosts at the Lynn Rotary Club, Steve Walsh, recently told us that his group was still discussing our topic weeks after we visited them! He said that he had never seen another speaker have that kind of lasting impact on the group. And the Lynn Rotary Club hosts a different speaker each and every week, so this is high praise!
Because of this and other positive feedback we've received, we feel like we're succeeding at what we set out to do. We started the Speaker Series to get people talking about drug treatment and incarceration and reexamining their views about punishment, rehabilitation, and recidivism. We hoped to teach our audiences about the monetary and social costs of locking up drug dependent offenders rather than offering them opportunities for rehabilitation. If the encouragement we are receiving from our audiences is any indication, we are serving that purpose.
At our upcoming Speaker Series events we hope to reach as many people as possible, in as many different communities as possible. We are very encouraged by how many people have spoken up in support of our efforts. However, we know that there are still a lot of people who are wary of alternative sentencing measures. They erroneously believe that such measures are ineffective, a waste of money, expensive to tax payers and "soft on crime." We think that addressing these fallacies through the Speaker Series may result in a broader base of support for policy reforms that expand alternative sentencing options for drug offenders.

One recent indication to us that there is still considerable resistance to alternative sentencing of drug offenders was the defeat of Question 8. On Tuesday, November 7, we were disappointed to learn that a majority of Massachusetts voters opposed Question 8, the ballot initiative that would have expanded treatment opportunities for drug-dependent drug offenders. It was a close vote (but, hey, what vote wasn't close in this election?), with 47% of Massachusetts voters supporting Question 8 and 53% opposing it.
Interestingly, drug treatment policy reform measures in other states had considerably greater success than Question 8 did. One of the biggest winners was California's Proposition 36, which mandated drug treatment instead of jail for all first and second time drug possession offenders (and for all nonviolent parolees who test positive for drug use). A whopping 60.8% of voters were in favor of this measure. This new law promises to reduce California's prison population by up to 36,000 inmates per year, at a saving of almost $300,000 per year in incarceration and operations costs (not to mention a one-time saving of up to $550 million in reduced costs for prison construction).
It is difficult to say why this measure passed and Question 8 failed. Perhaps Question 8 suffered because it attempted to accomplish too much in one fell swoop. Or maybe voters mistakenly thought that the drug treatment fund would be created with their tax dollars. The supporters of Question 8 can play "Monday morning quarterback," but may never truly know the true causes of the bill's defeat. However, there should be some comfort in the fact that the debate over Question 8 forced many prominent prosecutors to take a public stance in favor of drug treatment (they claimed to take issue with certain aspects of Question 8). Their voices have joined those of more and more "tough on crime" folks, who are realizing that this stance can be compatible with supporting drug treatment for appropriate candidates.
While this is music to our ears, we know that our work is far from done. And so, the Speaker Series presses on. Or rather, we drive on… to communities near and far throughout the state. To tell our audiences why treatment for drug dependent drug offenders can often be smarter and safer than traditional incarceration. To hear their concerns and answer their questions. To inspire those who already agree with us to become more active on this important issue. To show those who are not familiar with this issue that the data supports our position. And to encourage those who do not agree with us to take a closer look at their views.
If your group is interested in hosting a Speaker series event, or if you would like to volunteer to assist with the Speaker Series, please e-mail Steve Saloom at: [email protected] or call (617) 482-3170 x315.