Treatment-over-time ballot proposal fails

11/5/2002

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - Nonviolent first- and second-time drug offenders still face the threat of jail in Ohio, as voters defeated a mandatory treatment proposal Tuesday in the only statewide ballot issue.

With 12 percent of precincts reporting, 69 percent of voters were against Issue 1, while 31 percent voted in favor.

The proposal would have required judges to order treatment instead of jail for qualifying offenders who requested it.

The issue was backed by three billionaire businessmen and opposed by law enforcement, judicial leaders, and medical and drug treatment organizations.

Republican Gov. Taft and first lady Hope Taft led the campaign to defeat the constitutional amendment. Democratic challenger Tim Hagan said he would vote for it, then turned down an offer from the issue's backers for help with his campaign.