Hidden within your newspaper was an article on pending federal legislation intended to reform the cocaine sentencing laws ('Disparity in prison penalties adds fuel to critics of drug law," Feb. 6). In a manner similar to that in a Senate-passed bill, the House has stashed this provision in H.R. 833, the Bankruptcy Reform Act.

Under this bill, Congress would enhance the sentencing for powder cocaine to bring it more in line with that for crack cocaine. After all, both forms of this drug produce the same pharmacological effect - the only notable difference is in the packaging.

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