Drugs and prostitution: one vice begets another in Utica

By By JOLEEN FERRIS

Story Created: Oct 10, 2008 at 4:59 PM EST

Story Updated: Oct 10, 2008 at 5:13 PM EST

UTICA, N.Y. (WKTV) - Almost every time Utica police arrest a prostitute....they're arresting a drug addict, too.

Drug addiction is the driving force that propelled 46-year-old Karen Murray, of Utica, onto the streets. Murray's body is a road map of needle tracks; more than 20 years spent selling her body in order to finance her next fix.

It's difficult to fight the problem because there is little incentive for a prostitute, facing 30-90 days in county jail, to opt instead for a grueling, year-long drug rehabilitation program.

Oneida County District Attorney Scott McNamara says there's talk of strengthening the sentencing structure for misdemeanors, similar to what is done for felonies. Commit more than one felony within ten years and you're going to state prison; but you can have unlimited prostitution arrests in that time and not spend a single day in state prison.

McNamara says that it is often the prospect of a lengthy state prison term that prompts people to give rehab a try.

Only the state legislature can change the sentencing structure for misdemeanors.
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