State Senate Republican Leader Louis C. DeLuca (R-Woodbury) blasted the Democrat controlled state senate for passing a bill that reduces the mandatory minimum sentences for crack dealers by increasing the amount of crack a person can possess before being held to minimum dealing/distribution penalties. The new bill increases the amount of crack cocaine a criminal must possess to be prosecuted as a dealer from half a gram to a full ounce (28 grams).
"Crack cocaine is a scourge on our inner cities, yet here the Democrats are passing laws to protect the very people who prey on the weak and addicted by dealing this dangerous drug," said Senator DeLuca. "I'm not sure what changed in the world that suddenly made it a good idea to allow crack dealers to possess 56 times the amount of the drug before being subject to a mandatory minimum sentence, but this misguided legislation is a giant step backwards for our anti-drug policy. This bill runs contrary to what the people of Connecticut expect when we say we want to get 'tough on crime,' and it helps no one but the very criminals who are out there ruining people's lives."
Responding to claims by the proponents of the bill that it was important to equalize the penalties for dealing crack and powder cocaine, Senator DeLuca introduced an amendment that would have established the dealing/distributing threshold at half an ounce for both substances. The amendment was voted down by the Democrats, who instead chose to pass language that allows criminals to possess up to an ounce of crack before being punished as a dealer.
During the Senate debate, Senator DeLuca pointed out that current law allows for individuals caught with more than a half gram of crack cocaine to avoid prosecution as a dealer if they can prove they are addicted to the drug.
"The current law works - people who are addicted are given the opportunity to get help, and those who are dealing crack are subject to more severe punishment. There was no need for us to come out today and make life easier on crack dealers. This kind of bill demonstrates that the Democrats' priorities are completely out of touch with the rest of us here in Connecticut. I urge the Governor to veto this bill," added Senator DeLuca. |
