Pubdate: Thu, 11 Mar 2004
Source: Auburn Plainsman, The (AL Edu)
Copyright: 2004 The Auburn Plainsman
Contact:  http://www.theplainsman.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1880
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topics/sentencing+reform

VICTORY IN DEFEAT

Laws May Change In Losing Battle

Our nation and state have been losing a war for decades, and some
policy makers are starting to notice. The Alabama Sentencing
Commision, a special committee created to study sentencing policies
and practices in the state. seems to think stoners don't belong in
prison with rapists and murders.

Imagine that.

The Commission is considering loosening Alabama's drug laws, which are
among the toughest in the nation.

Cutting the state's pot perps is the first step in a vision shared by
many on the Commission, and in the state, to move Alabama from drug
penalization to drug rehabilitation.

During its examination of the penal system, the Commission realized
creating drug criminals and recycling them in and out of courtrooms
and prisons might be part of the problem, not its solution.

Allowing serious drug addicts a chance to overcome their addiction
with proper treatment will certainly do more for the perceieved
problem than the state's other solutions.

Of course, the Commission is talking about reform, and this is
Alabama.

The plan is sure to meet with objections from those who think the road
to hell is paved with bong residue.

But, puritans and prohibitionists aside, we can all be glad to see
some sense finally coming to a state that desperately needs it.
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin