[started 03/25/11 --- Even if you do not live in NM, these State campaigns are very important. ♥ It has been noted that most changes happen first at the State Level which ultimately drives the Federal Level to follow suit (hasn't much choice) ♥ PATIENCE and PERSEVERENCE needed ♥ don't quit now when we are making progress. {I'd say that most pols are "guilty" of "substance abuse" - and the addiction is to $$$!!!! LOL so it is more a question of what one's DEIFINITION of "crime" is!}
 ©€L§c}{vv@^+z™]

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tell Governor Martinez to sign the Substance Abuse and Crime Prevention Act so we can stop incarcerating non-violent drug offenders and give people who struggle with addiction the help that they need. ACLU action --- 03/25/11 ---


MORE INFO from the ACLU Action Alert:
From: ACLU of New Mexico
Date: Fri, Mar 25, 2011 at 1:21 PM
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Our [NM] state legislature took a huge step for community safety last week. Both the Senate and House overwhelmingly passed the Substance Abuse and Crime Prevention Act, a bill that would provide for treatment instead of incarceration for certain non-violent drug offenders.
Ask Governor Martinez to sign this bill into law today!​

This important bill would save the state 18 million dollars a year in incarceration costs, provide effective, community-based drug treatment to people who struggle with addiction, and reduce crime by supporting former substance abusers with education and employment opportunities.
However, despite the many benefits this law would bring to our state and its people, Governor Martinez has not yet stated whether she will sign it into law. As a former prosecutor, Governor Martinez has a “lock ‘em up” approach to drug policy and may veto the bill or let it expire without signing it.
We can’t let this happen. Our state cannot afford to keep locking up substance abusers without actually treating the problem. Tell Governor Martinez to sign the Substance Abuse and Crime Prevention Act when it reaches her desk.
We already know that treating substance abusers as criminals does not work. In fact, sending people with drug problems to prison often exacerbates their addiction and increases the likelihood that they will become involved in more serious crimes down the road. We can save millions of dollars, increase community safety, and help people overcome their addiction; or we can keep locking people up and making the problem worse.
The choice is clear.  Please write today and make sure that Governor Martinez sees it too.

Peter Simonson Executive Director ACLU of New Mexico www.aclu-nm.org