Today, Ohio voters read through the deception and soundly voted down State Ballot Issue 1. The proposed constitutional amendment would have been bad for Ohioans, and especially harmful to the very people it is purported to help. Promoted as an effort for prison reform, this deceptive ballot measure would have actually created conditions for more drug trafficking and opiate addiction, overdose and death in Ohio communities. Ohio has already seen its share of grief and loss in its battle against drug addiction.

As the Ohio Christian Alliance has asserted from the beginning, we can now proceed with real common sense criminal sentencing reform for minor drug offenses. Working with a coalition of legislators, law enforcement, members of the judiciary, civic organizations, and the Chamber of Commerce, we can begin to put together a meaningful construct of common sense criminal sentencing reform. This would include a pathway for expungement of some non-violent fourth and fifth degree felonies, so that these Ohioans can again find their way back into society and attain gainful employment.

OCA President Chris Long stated, “The Ohio Christian Alliance looks forward to working with the coalition to begin this legislative initiative as we continue to win the battle against the insidious opiate addiction crisis in Ohio that is affecting so many of our neighbors. Now the real work can begin.”

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Contact 330-887-1922

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