Pubdate: Mon, 16 May 2005
Source: Berkshire Eagle, The (Pittsfield, MA)
Copyright: 2005 New England Newspapers, Inc.
Contact:  http://www.berkshireeagle.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/897
Author: Doreen Kahlstrom
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v05/n779/a04.html

SCHOOL ZONE DRUG LAW SHOULD BE CHANGED

To the Editor of THE EAGLE:- I understand that laws are made to protect 
people and laws are not made to be broken, but laws can be changed and I 
feel that the mandatory two-year jail sentence for the youths in Great 
Barrington accused of selling drugs in a school zone is too harsh. What is 
the benefit of sending these youths to jail for two years? It is a waste of 
taxpayers' money.

Put these youths in a house arrest program for two years doing community 
service and have the Concerned Citizens for Appropriate Justice be 
responsible for the youths under the direction of the court.

If selling drugs in a school zone is a mandatory two-year jail sentence, 
why have all these cases been continued? It is unfortunate that they have 
this hanging over their heads, as they could have served almost half of 
their sentence by now.

Doreen Kahlstrom

Sheffield
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