Pubdate: Fri, 09 Mar 2001
Source: Times-News, The (ID)
Copyright: 2001 Magic Valley Newspapers
Contact:  P.O. Box 548, Twin Falls, ID 83303
Fax: (208) 734-553
Feedback: http://www.magicvalley.com/submit.html
Website: http://www.magicvalley.com/
Author: Sue Strobel

DRUG EDITORIAL IS ON TARGET

The Feb. 28 editorial regarding the potential policy of not
incarcerating drug users is right on the money.

The drugs may be illegal, but having an addiction is not. When the
users are not dealt with in the proper manner, it is like throwing the
baby out with the bath water. If fear of going to jail was a deterrent
to crime, we could make day-care centers out of the ones we have. Once
these people have the stigma of a criminal record, the probability of
building a successful future is doubtful at best. Then there is always
the factor that they are put in the same facility with offenders who
are more than willing to share their expertise with anyone who is with
them.

SUE STROBEL
Twin Falls
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