Zupkus Slams Bill Shrinking Drug-Free School Zones

Also lessens all penalties for drug possession to a misdemeanor

HARTFORD- State Rep. Lezlye Zupkus (Prospect, Cheshire, & Bethany) is condemning a proposal which almost completely eliminates the current drug free school zones in Connecticut for anyone who possesses drugs and reduces all felony drug possession charges to a misdemeanor.

Governor Malloy’s proposal passed out of the legislature’s Judiciary Committee at 1:00 a.m. last Friday morning in the dead of the night 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 also shrinks the current drug-free school zone distance from 1500 ft. to only include the school property.

“As a mother of young children who attend school, I find this proposal outrageous,” said Rep. Zupkus.  “There is absolutely no justification for allowing drug users within mere feet of school property and our children.  As responsible parents, teachers, and caregivers, we invest countless hours teaching our children about the dangers of drugs and alcohol.  And yet, with a simple vote, those legislators who vote for this bill will send an entirely different message.  It is beyond comprehension that a legislative body who proposes to protect young children would conceive of enacting a law that will bring danger right to the doorstep.”  Also included in the bill is the removal of a graduated penalty scale for repeat offenders where an arrest for any narcotic or controlled substance, a second time, or even a third or fourth time, is treated no different than the first offense.

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.    “It is misleading to state that this will give first-time offenders a second chance, when this bill also provides for third, fourth and fifth chances,” said Zupkus.  “Many people incarcerated for minor drug crimes in fact have accepted plea deals to avoid more significant charges.  We are sending a signal that we are accepting and pardoning of this behavior when instead we should be working to deter the illegal actions of repeat offenders. Rather than focusing on reducing penalties, perhaps our time would be better spent discussing prevention and rehabilitation programs.” Zupkus and House Republicans have previously blocked efforts to reduce the size of drug free zones around schools, day care centers and even senior housing. But this time around, with strong support from the governor, the plan to eliminate the enhanced penalty for possession in a school zone has real steam.

Having passed out of committee, the bill now awaits debate by the legislature.

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