Zupkus Opposes New Push to Reduce Size of Drug-Free Zones

HARTFORD — State Rep. Lezlye Zupkus today said that she opposes the renewed effort to shrink the size of drug-free zones from 1,500 to 200 feet, a proposal that would 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.

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

Zupkus contends the bill sends the wrong message to children and their parents.

“This is simply one of those proposals that runs counter to what the people I represent expect their government to do,” said Zupkus, Public Safety Committee member. “Parents expect us to do everything we can to keep drugs away from their children—this legislation is an invitation to come closer.”

The proposal seeks to shrink the drug-free zones in every community throughout Connecticut, no matter the population size. That doesn’t sit well with Zupkus and many other legislators from rural and suburban communities who don’t like the one-size-fits-all approach.

She intends to vote against the bill if it makes it to the House floor, where a similar plan died last spring.

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.

“This bill lends no help to parents in the persistent and difficult struggle to keep their children away from drugs,” Zupkus said. “It only helps people who sell them.”