Pubdate: Sun, 07 Mar 1999 Date: 03/07/1999 Source: Los Angeles Times (CA) Author: Ingrid Ralston Note: Subject by MAP editor * * * Scheer described the failure of society's desperate efforts to throw off the incubus of crack babies and doperelated crime. However, those who flout our laws must expect punishment. If the incarceration of addicts is of doubtful value, then let's substitute a mandatory sentence of treatment for jail. And in lieu of this kind of offender, fill our jails with the armed misfits who prey on decent citizens. INGRID RALSTON, Los Angeles