Pubdate: Mon, 20 Dec 2004 Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution (GA) Copyright: 2004 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Contact: http://www.ajc.com/opinion/content/opinion/letters/sendletter.html Website: http://www.accessatlanta.com/ajc/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/28 Author: Robert Sharpe Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v04.n1794.a03.html COMBAT BAD CHOICES WITH OTHER METHODS Support for the drug war would end overnight if whites were incarcerated for drugs at the same rate as minorities ("Fix sentencing guidelines," Dec. 16). It's worth noting that tobacco use has declined considerably in recent years. Public education efforts are paying off. Apparently mandatory minimum prison sentences, civil asset forfeiture, random drug testing and racial profiling are not necessarily the most cost-effective means of discouraging unhealthy choices. Robert Sharpe, of Washington, is a policy analyst with Common Sense for Drug Policy. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin