Today, Hamilton County Prosecutor Joseph T. Deters, Hamilton County Sheriff Jim Neil, Hamilton County Coroner Dr. Lakshmi Sammarco and Springfield Township Police Chief and President of the Hamilton County Police Chief’s Association joined together in a press conference to urge voters to vote no on Issue 1.

Issue 1, if passed, would amend the Ohio constitution to reduce penalties for crimes of obtaining, possessing, and using illegal drugs. A copy of the ballot language and proposed constitutional amendment is attached.

Springfield Township Police Chief and President of the Hamilton County Police Chief’s Association Rob Browder commented, “Not only does Issue 1 prevent criminal offenders from going to jail, it will also release offenders already in jail.”

Hamilton County Coroner Dr. Lakshmi Sammarco commented, “We all want to help people addicted to drugs but Issue 1 does not do that. As written, it is too broad and does not do what it purports to do. Even more problematic is that, if passed, Issue 1 would change the Ohio Constitution and that is a drastic step and one that would be difficult to fix if Ohio residents decided that Issue 1 was not working.”

Hamilton County Prosecutor Joseph Deters commented, “If Issue 1 passes, this would be a disaster for Ohio.”

“Issue 1 would lessen the penalties for drug charges and drug dealers would flock to Ohio realizing that any potential charge would be much less serious than in other states.”

“This is not a partisan issue, as evidenced by the people assembled here today, but it is a public health and safety issue. I strongly urge everyone who cares about the health and safety of our community to vote no on Issue 1.”

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