HPD Chief McClelland is moving away from the traditional stance on drug crime. He says money should go to treatment and prevention programs rather than jailing low level drug offenders. It costs $50,000- $60,000 per year to house a single inmate in Texas prisons. Chief McClelland argues that using the funds for crime prevention, treatment, education, and job training would curb the rate of offenses.
Every 50 minutes in Harris County we arrest someone for possession. Rather than legalize marijuana, many are advocating to decriminalize marijuana for a more effective approach.