During every legislative session, Ohio lawmakers introduce numerous bills that enhance, expand, and create criminal penalties. So many, in fact, that the ACLU of Ohio has recently published a report, Ohio’s Statehouse-to-Prison Pipeline, outlining every bill that fits this mold.

Still in its infancy, this session has seen lawmakers introduce dozens of bills, a handful focusing on harsher drug sentencing. These bills follow the same failed, counterproductive approach we have seen for more than 30 years.

Quickly moving through the General Assembly right now are House Bill 4, Senate Bill 1 and Senate Bill 42, which “triple down” on the failed “War on Drugs.” All create harsher penalties when drugs are mixed with other substances. For instance, if a person is arrested with three grams of cocaine mixed with seven grams of baking soda, that person will get charged with possession of 10 grams of cocaine.

Misguided bills like these will undoubtedly send more Ohioans to our overcrowded prisons and jails, exacerbating Ohio’s mass incarceration problem. HB 4, SB 1, and SB 42 further criminalize drug use, a tactic proven ineffective at every turn. It is time we started handling addiction as a public-health issue, with treatment and education. Let’s end this senseless and failed approach and focus on rehabilitation, not incarceration.

Gary Daniels

Chief lobbyist, ACLU of Ohio

Columbus