Bolinsky Opposes Shrinking Drug Free Zones

HARTFORD— State Rep. Mitch Bolinsky of Newtown expressed extreme disappointment with the vote in the legislature’s powerful Judiciary committee this past week to shrink the size of drug-free zones from 1,500 to 200 feet, a proposal that effectively reduce the penalty assigned to criminals who possess and sell drugs near schools, day care centers and senior housing.

The legislation, S.B. 259, is propelled largely by legislators who represent urban centers. It was the subject of Judiciary Committee hearing in early March. Proponents of the bill contend people arrested for drug-related offenses in their communities can’t escape enhanced penalties applied to crimes inside drug-free zones due to the concentration of schools, daycare centers and public housing.

Bolinsky fought a similar measure last session which he insists sends the wrong message to Connecticut and Newtown children and their parents. Bolinsky intends to speak and vote against the bill if it makes it to the House floor for debate, where a similar plan died last spring.

The proposal seeks to shrink the drug-free zones in every community throughout Connecticut, no matter the population size.

The current penalty for using or possessing with intent to use drug paraphernalia (other than in relation to less than one-half ounce of marijuana) is a class C misdemeanor punishable by up to three months in prison, a fine of up to $500 or both. Delivering, possessing or manufacturing them with intent to deliver is a class ‘A’ misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in prison, a fine of $2,000, or both. The enhanced penalties mandate one year in prison for using illegal drug paraphernalia in a Drug-Free Zone, two years in prison for possession, and three years in prison for selling, manufacturing or distributing.

Bolinsky said, “What kind of message does this misguided, proposed legislation send to our children and families? To me, anything that allows reduced consequences for felons selling or distributing addictive drugs to children within 200 feet of a school or day care is societally irresponsible. Think of how close 200 feet is: two of Newtown’s famous flagpoles laid end to end. Today’s 1,500-foot drug-free zones create a buffer. This proposed legislation tears it down. Ask yourself…why in heaven’s name would we remove a deterrence and roll out a felonious red carpet for dealers? This bill is bad public policy and must fail.”

The legislature’s Judiciary Committee narrowly approved and advanced the bill in a 21-19 vote. The proposal now awaits consideration in the House and Senate.