Pubdate: Thu, 12 Jul 2001
Source: Norman Transcript (OK)
Copyright: 2001 The Norman Transcript
Contact:  http://www.normantranscript.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/552

SENSE OF PROPORTION WILL HELP DRUG WAR

The 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals declared a life sentence for 
possession of $20 worth of cocaine so harsh as to be unconstitutional 
on Monday, saying "it denies reality and contradicts precedent to say 
that all drug crimes are of equal seriousness and pose the same 
threat to society." Arkansas has 90 days to decide whether to 
resentence Grove Henderson -- a first-time offender sentenced in 1994 
- -- or let him go.

Meanwhile, in the Brixton area of south London, an experiment is 
going on with the approval of Scotland Yard. For six months, people 
found in possession of small amounts of marijuana will have the drug 
confiscated, but they won't be prosecuted. The move, they say, will 
free up police resources to battle harder drugs and other crimes they 
consider more heinous than smoking a joint. There is speculation that
if all hell doesn't break loose -- as it doesn't seem to have done in 
Spain or the Netherlands -- policies could be loosened up throughout 
Britain.

Along with the medical marijuana measures that have been passed by 
the citizenry in various places and the reaction to some of President 
Clinton's pardons, situations like these make us wonder: are people 
starting to develop a sense of proportion on the drug issue?

A person doesn't have to like narcotics to deplore the witchhunt 
mentality that has permeated the War on Drugs. The "war" has been 
used as an excuse to erode our fundamental American rights like 
freedom from unreasonable search and seizure, labeling politicians 
who stand up for the Constitution as "soft on drugs." It has been 
used to confiscate property from people who haven't been found guilty 
of anything in a court of law. It has been used to try to justify 
high-tech spying on American homes. It has been used to impose 
absurdly stiff sentences on people like Mr. Henderson, who can hardly 
be described as a drug kingpin.

We don't approve of cocaine, but neither do we approve of spending 
tax money to feed, clothe, house and guard people for the rest of 
their lives just because they showed bad judgment. We also think 
possession of a truckload of the stuff should carry a stiffer 
sentence than possession of less than a teaspoonful, if that clashes 
with anyone's version of "no tolerance," so be it.

It makes sense to focus police resources on the drugs that cause the 
most problems and use drug courts to get offenders back on track as 
contributing members of society, trends we have been seeing lately in 
Oklahoma. A sense of proportion can only help the battle against 
drugs.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Josh Sutcliffe