Pubdate: Mon, 07 Feb 2011 Source: Boston Globe (MA) Copyright: 2011 Globe Newspaper Company Contact: http://bostonglobe.com/news/opeds/letter.aspx?id=6340 Website: http://www.boston.com/globe/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/52 Author: Jakki Melick PATRICK RIGHT TO TAKE ON FLAWED DRUG SENTENCING LAW I AM thrilled that Governor Patrick is attempting to change the law that now mandates a minimum two-to 15-year sentence for dealing drugs within 1,000 feet of a school ("The too-long arm of the law," Editorial, Feb. 1). This well-intentioned law simply does not serve its original purpose. Anyone dealing drugs in the city is almost always within 1,000 feet of a school; however, this is not true in suburban or rural areas. So, a city dweller selling a small amount of marijuana to another adult in his or her own home would be subject to prosecution, while someone in a suburban or rural area would not. Several years ago, I was a juror when a young father was on trial for violating this law. In the small Dorchester courthouse, I saw this man zipping his small children into their jackets, tying their little hats under their chins, and hugging them. I saw how the children looked at him, and I thought about what it would mean to take him away from them for two years. Even if he were guilty, I did not want that to happen. But the evidence didn't hold up, and the judge found him not guilty. After the trial, the judge came to speak with us. I questioned the law, and the judge said that only a small percentage of cases brought under this law have anything to do with children. I never expected that any politician would risk appearing soft on drugs by changing this law. I hope Governor Patrick is successful in doing so. Jakki Melick Dorchester - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom