Pubdate: Fri, 05 Apr 2002 Source: Royal Gazette, The (Bermuda) Copyright: 2002 The Royal Gazette Ltd. Contact: http://www.theroyalgazette.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2103 Author: Adam Wiggins Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v02/n619/a12.html?11345 Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/rehab.htm (Treatment) ATI WORTH THE APPLAUSE Dear Sir, I applaud the new policies of the Bermuda government which explore alternatives to jail time for non-violent drug offenders ('Minister confident ATI will stop prison's revolving door" - March 27). Jail sentences for minor drug offenses - smoking pot or growing it for your own use, for example - does not rehabilitate anyone. Instead, it exposes an otherwise normal citizen to "real" criminals, transmitting bad habits and disdain for the government. Treatment programmes which allow the offender to carry on with their lives as productive citizens are less expensive and more effective. I have no doubt that Bermuda will be a better place for these new policies. ADAM WIGGINS DIRECTOR, NEOTERIC Pasadena, California - --- MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager