Pubdate: Sat, 17 Aug 2013
Source: Los Angeles Times (CA)
Copyright: 2013 Los Angeles Times
Contact:  http://www.latimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/248
Author: Anthony Papa
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v13/n402/a06.html

DOING MORE ON DRUG SENTENCING

It isn't clear what the administration's new policy on drug 
sentencing will mean for people currently behind bars.

President Obama should use his authority to commute the sentences of 
the roughly 5,000 people who were charged under the old 100-to-1 
crack-to-powder cocaine ratio who are not eligible for relief.

Society would be better served by not locking up people with 
extraordinarily long sentences for nonviolent drug offenses.

I know because I was sentenced to 15-to-life under mandatory 
sentencing laws. I wound up serving 12 years because I received 
clemency from the governor of New York. It was a waste of human life 
and tax dollars that could have been used for needy communities.

Anthony Papa

New York

The writer is the media relations manager for the Drug Policy Alliance.
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