CHICAGO (AP) — Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez plans to introduce an overhaul of her office’s drug policies regarding low level marijuana possession and other recreational drugs.
Alvarez has scheduled a Monday morning news conference. She plans to announce an alternative prosecution program for repeat low-level drug offenders. The aim is to address drug use and addiction as a public health issue.
The alternative program will be for non-violent individuals charged with Class 4 felony possession of a controlled substance. It will attempt to link repeat offenders with social service agencies for treatment.
Alvarez’ office says Class 4 felony drug possession cases accounted for 25 percent of all felony cases in Cook County last year. On top of that, there were 15,000 misdemeanor cases for possession of small amounts of cannabis.
