Pubdate: Sat, 02 Feb 2002 Source: Tallahassee Democrat (FL) Copyright: 2002 Tallahassee Democrat. Contact: http://www.tdo.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/444 Author: Robert Sharpe, http://www.mapinc.org/writers/Robert+Sharpe WILL WE CONTINUE TO RUIN THE LIVES OF DRUG OFFENDERS? I don't think anyone is going to argue that Noelle Bush or the state of Florida is best served by giving Noelle the maximum penalty of five years' imprisonment for prescription fraud. Toning down the zero- tolerance rhetoric would help facilitate cost-effective drug treatment. The option of treatment instead of incarceration would do more than save taxpayers money. Prisons transmit violent habits rather than reduce them. Most minor drug offenders are eventually released with dismal job prospects because of their criminal records. Turning recreational drug users into career criminals is a senseless waste of tax dollars. At present, there is a glaring double standard in place. Alcohol and tobacco are by far the deadliest recreational drugs, yet the government does not go out of its way to destroy the lives of drinkers and smokers. Imagine if every alcoholic were thrown in jail and given a permanent criminal record. How many lives would be destroyed? How many families would be torn apart? How many tax dollars would be wasted turning potentially productive members of society into hardened criminals? ROBERT SHARPE, Program Officer, Drug Policy Alliance - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake