Pubdate: Mon, 16 Sep 2002 Source: Press, The (OH) Copyright: 2002 The Press, Metro Press Contact: http://www.presspublications.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2511 Author: Harry D. Fisher SOUND INITIATIVE To the editor: State Representative Chris Redfern criticized the ballot initiative to reform the drug laws (9/4), vigorously defending the status quo. But it's not as if a stream of drug addicts enter the current penal system, to emerge at the other end "rehabilitated." If the system had worked, there would be no need for the ballot initiative. The initiative takes steps to remedy the handiwork of politicians like Redfern, who have made a mess of things. Even if judges can send drug addicts to jail for 18 months under current law, has that reduced the number of addicts? I can understand Redfern's desire to send people to jail as punishment, but let's not add insult to injury that it's for their own good, as he insinuates. The ballot initiative is sound, and Ohio will benefit from its enactment. Harry D. Fisher Woodland Hills, Calif. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Stevens