Pubdate: Sun, 13 Jan 2002 Source: Charlotte Observer (NC) Copyright: 2002 The Charlotte Observer Contact: http://www.charlotte.com/observer/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/78 Author: Stephen Levine Note: The writer is executive director, Charleston NORML. Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v02/n028/a01.html FLAWED DRUG POLICY FILLING OUR PRISONS Many organizations are working to bring drug-law reform to the Carolinas, and only by publication of such commentary as Robert Sharpe's "Change drug laws in U.S." (Jan. 8 For the record) will the debate really get going here. Thank you. The United States currently has 5 percent of the world's population, yet 25 percent of the world's prison population. In South Carolina, non-violent drug law violators make up the largest percentage of the prison population, and marijuana smokers account for the largest percentage of those arrested for non-violent drug law violations. It's time to rethink our out-of-control "war on drugs." Stephen Levine, Johns Island, S.C. - --- MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager