Pubdate: Wed, 23 Jun 1999 Source: Burlington Free Press (VT) Copyright: 1999 Burlington Free Press Contact: Bob Melamede REGARDING EDITORIAL OUTRAGE I am writing to commend your (6/16/99) editorial outrage regarding the leniency shown to a Burlington resident responsible for transporting large quantities of cocaine. By questioning the actions of those in authority, you have taken first step to understanding what the drug war is about. Cocaine is a dangerous drug with very high abuse potential and with minimal beneficial use. Unfortunately, the drug policies of the federal government continue to send the wrong message to the American citizenry. The greatly reduced sentence handed out in this case was the third instance this year where a significant cocaine dealer was given virtually no punishment by Judge Sessions at the request of Federal Prosecutors due to "cooperation". In otherwords, the authorities don't care what you have done, as long as you have no integrity and are willing to become their rat. In contrast, Billy Greer and Steve Hutchins will spend the rest of their lives in federal prison for dealing cannabis products that, as the recent federal study has shown, bring relief for numerous ailments, to millions of Americans. Since the drug war began, the price of both cocaine and heroin has dropped dramatically. In contrast, the price of marihuana has increased many fold.Government policies have put the wrong people in jail and have left the wrong ones out. Likewise, these policies have had an obviously incorrect effect on the price of these drugs. The national obsession with drugs as a law enforcement issue, instead of it being seen as a health issue, will continue to harm families, kids and perhaps most tragically the sick. Bob Melamede - --- MAP posted-by: Derek Rea