Candelora Concerned, Bill that Nearly Eliminates Drug-Free School Zones

State Rep. Vincent Candelora (R-86) is attacking a proposal which would nearly eliminate the current drug free school zones in Connecticut and would reduce all felony drug possession charges to a misdemeanor. Candelora, a father of three school-age children said, “I’m very concerned with the impact these proposals have on our children and schools. After we made marijuana legal a few years back, I've noticed a change in how my children perceive and talk about marijuana.” “We need to look at reforms in the state of Connecticut,” added Rep. Candelora. “There’s no doubt that we need to look at chronic drug use and our prison population, but when it comes to children, we need to keep them away from drugs as long as possible. This proposal is only going to put our children at greater risk.” Governor Dannel P. Malloy’s proposal passed out of the legislature’s Judiciary Committee at 1:00 a.m. Friday, April 10, on a 22-20 vote. The legislation, S.B. No. 952, An Act Concerning a Second Chance Society, would make the possession of any narcotic or controlled substance a misdemeanor offense. It would also reduce the current drug-free school zone limit down from 1,500 feet to only include the school property. Authors of the bill claim that the intent of the bill is to give drug offenders a second chance at turning their life around by making drug possession a simple misdemeanor. “This may save money in our prison system, but we will pay for it in the long run,” said Rep. Candelora. The bill now awaits further actions and has the possibility of being referred to the legislature’s Education Committee.