#JusticeinPimaCounty: Week 58
I’m the Pima County Attorney because Pima County voters overwhelmingly chose reform and an end to the War on Drugs over the status quo. But what that actually demands of me is what I did this week: To step inside an Arizona state legislative hearing filled with grieving parents whose children died of fentanyl overdoses, and muscle through the shared grief I have for them while staying true to proven data.
This week, that required that I stand alone in front of them to testify before the House Judiciary Committee in opposition to House Bill 2021 and tell them that, no matter how much we feel their sorrow, we cannot incarcerate our way out of this problem. It was tough to get up there in front of grieving parents and tell them that mass incarceration won’t work. Harm reduction works.
If you have not stood in that space facing Arizona state legislators with grieving parents behind you trying to hold the line, then you don’t understand the battlefield I’m on. You are either standing by me shoulder to shoulder to move us out of the War on Drugs, or you may take your seat.
You’re either in the arena or you’re not.
My argument against this expansion of criminal charges to include “drug trafficking homicide” to anyone who “transfers” narcotics to another, potentially contributing to a subsequent overdose death, is that it will result in lengthy incarceration for all manner of people who don’t fit the description of “drug dealer.” I need friends, roommates, cousins and dormmates calling 9-1-1 the moment it appears an overdose is happening so life saving measures can begin. I need the message to be clear: I, as County Attorney, am not going to throw a homicide charge at them for calling.
Other testimony during my two days at the state Capitol included our support of Senate Bill 1217, which provides victims of domestic violence more time to get their affairs in order under an emergency Order of Protection. Under the current rules, those beleaguered people must obtain a new order immediately after trauma has occurred. The bill would keep the protective orders in effect for up to five days, giving those under duress more time to make the changes they need to feel safe. The bill sailed through the Senate and we expect Gov. Ducey to sign it into law. We were part of something extremely important there.
And lastly, today is a big day for PCAO. Two treasured leaders are departing. Joe Watson and Keith St. John each took a real leap of faith (in very different ways!) in agreeing to work with me–tying their reputations to me and standing with me in service to our Office and this community.
Joe, thank you for making history with me. 2021 will be the year that Joe Watson forever changed PCAO. And by proclamation, February 11th will now be dedicated annually to the 45 years of service that Chief St. John gave us all. This proclamation will go on with you, Keith, and will also hang within the Detectives Division to memorialize this date in PCAO history.
To be continued,
Laura
