Pubdate: Fri, 18 May 2007
Source: Kansas City Star (MO)
Copyright: 2007 The Kansas City Star
Contact:  http://www.kcstar.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/221
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine)

SENTENCING FOR COCAINE IS FAR FROM FAIR

Congress Should Fix Disparity

Sentencing disparities for cocaine possession are unjust and unfair. 
After years of ignoring the issue, Congress should move to make the 
penalties for possessing crack and powdered cocaine more equitable.

The U.S. Sentencing Commission on four occasions has told Congress 
that the disparity in sentencing unfairly targets urban and 
low-income communities, fails to go after big-time drug dealers and 
concentrates penalties on small-time street sales.

As a result, African-Americans who use crack are more likely to 
receive stiff sentences than white, middle-class users and dealers of 
powdered cocaine.

The latest report, "Cocaine and Federal Sentencing Policy," released 
this week, once again recommends that Congress act to even out the 
sentencing laws.

A person caught with five grams of crack cocaine faces a minimum 
five-year federal prison sentence. To receive the same minimum 
sentence, an individual would have to possess 500 grams (more than a 
pound) of powdered cocaine.

Never mind that both forms are equally addictive, neither form is 
more likely to cause violence in users, and both are illegal.

No one is arguing that use of cocaine is a good thing. But in 
deciding penalties, it is only right to treat all offenders equally.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman