Drug diversion program expansion not far enough

Bravo to Chicago top cop David Brown for expanding the drug diversion program which allows low lever drug possessors to get treatment instead of felony drug charges  

But the improvements are minimal: the maximum amount of drug is increased from one gram to just two. How bout making it 454 grams or one pound. Without evidence the user is selling, a more serious offense, why not cut the offender slack that he/she’s merely stocking up like many folks do with daily staples.  

Another deficiency? Why disqualify persons for having convictions for gun possession, sex offenses and violent crimes within the past decade. These are the most critical people we need to get into treatment to have a chance to turn away from crime and possibly engage in productive lives.  

America still has a long slog ahead to move on from criminalization of drug use to humane treatment instead of incarceration. Chicago took a baby step with its 2018 pilot program in the West Side 11^th police district. Even with its expansion city wide last year, only 800 drug users have been diverted from criminal charges.  

Let’s turn that drop in a bucket into an avalanche of rehabilitated drug users.