Pubdate: Thu, 28 Aug 2003
Source: Boulder Weekly (CO)
Copyright: 2003 Boulder Weekly
Contact:  http://www.boulderweekly.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/57
Author: Sandy Cote
Refered: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v03/n1269/a07.html

NOT SO FREE (2 OF 3)

I agree that it's time for Americans to make ending the War on Drugs and 
the nation's high incarceration rate political priorities. We are supposed 
to be the "Land of the Free" but have more of our citizens behind bars than 
any other country in the world.

Last year, a federal report showed the growth in prison population would 
cost the federal government and states (taxpayers) about $40 billion a 
year. Experts attribute this to mandatory minimum sentences for drug 
offenders. Believe it or not, many of them would never hurt a fly, and some 
may be suffering from an addiction.

It's time to stop treating nonviolent individuals like violent criminals 
and start treating the sick with compassion.

Sandy Cote/via Internet
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MAP posted-by: Larry Stevens