Pubdate: Thur, 04 Feb 1999
Source: Capital Times, The  (WI)
Copyright: 1999 The Capital Times
Contact:  http://www.thecapitaltimes.com/
Author: Thor E. Backus, Madison

WAR ON DRUGS TRAMPLES RIGHTS

Dear Editor: In response to concerns raised about prison populations in a
Capital Times editorial On Jan. 17, I would like to point to one aspect of
the judicial system which continues to unfairly and unwisely contribute to
the prison overcrowding problem.

The public television special ‘Frontline: Snitch,” which aired in Madison on
Jan. 12, investigated Federal laws which are encouraging over-sentencing and
rewarding snitches. The snitches are drug dealers and users who are
pressured by prosecutors to inform on others.  That information can reduce
or even eliminate a dealer’s sentence.

The snitch’s unreliable information is sometimes the only evidence needed to
prosecute under Federal laws, which were hastily vritten to win votes by
winning the “war on drugs” during the late 1980s.

People’s rights to a fair trial have been cast aside in the name of
efficiency and perceived victory in this war.  I am not claiming that drugs
are not a problem in our society.  Nor am I advocating that dealers and
repeat offenders be given the proverbial “slap on the wrist.”

If we make some adjustments to our current judicial system, we can properly
punish those who pose a threat to our society, and at he same time not
trample on innocent people’s rights. We could reduce the strain on prison
populations and also have a fair judicial system.

I would encourage you to obtain and watch “Frontline: Snitch” to see just
how ludicrous our curent judicial system is.  We should also treat the drug
problem with a more proactive agenda through education, treatment and
understanding.

People who are addicted to drugs feel they have very few options.  It would
be much more humane and economically intelligent to help those who are
hooked, intead of attacking them with our little war.

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