Cut in drug testing concerns lawmakers

Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2003 | 10:56 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- A cut in the state budget to drug test prison inmates who are paroled to the streets has sparked concern of legislators worried about public safety.

Parole officers who supervise ex-felons worry about a reduction in their ability to test parolees, Assemblywoman Sheila Leslie, D-Reno, suggested.

Sen. Sandra Tiffany, R-Henderson, said "Cutting the budget for drug testing bothers me a little bit."

Their statements came at a meeting of the Senate-Assembly budget subcommittee reviewing the proposed spending programs of the state Division of Parole and Probation and the state Parole Board.

Sen. Dean Rhoads, R-Tuscarora, chairman of subcommittee, opened the meeting by saying he was "confused" that the budget of Gov. Kenny Guinn cuts public safety. He was referring not only to the two budgets before the subcommittee but also a reduction in the staff of the state Division of Investigations.

Leslie said there is a $26,000 or a 50 percent reduction in the budget of the state Division of Parole and Probation for drug testing. She questioned Division Chief Amy Wright whether line officers were concerned about this.

"Certainly when you reduce the available tools in supervision, you are going to hear about it," Wright said.

Leslie and Assemblywoman Chris Giunchigliani, D-Las Vegas, questioned whether the division has a high administrative staff.

Giunchigliani said a national study showed the division had an additional layer of management staff. Wright, who took over the top spot two months ago, said she has not seen that study but would reply to the subcommittee later.

Leslie, who works for the court system in Washoe County, said the majority of offenders whose parole is revoked are guilty of new drug offenses. She said she did not agree with budget priorities that call for a reduction in the drug testing but keeping a big administrative staff.