Pubdate: Sun, 16 Jan 2000 Source: Times, The (UK) Copyright: 2000 Times Newspapers Ltd Contact: http://www.the-times.co.uk/ Author: Ian MacDonald VICTIMS I was impressed and gratified to read Melanie Phillips's excellent article. It was refreshing to see somebody take such a well-informed and reasoned stance against the lobbyists for softening of the laws regarding supply and use of drugs. As parents who have lost a much-loved son to heroin, my wife and I are very aware of the magnitude of the current drug problem and are determined to do anything we can to help change the situation. Two factors do nothing to deter supply and use. One is the media's persistence in referring to substances such as cocaine and ecstasy as ''recreational'' rather than ''illegal'' drugs. The other is the inconsistency of sentences handed out to those convicted of supplying. We have recently discovered that Gloucestershire has one of the most lenient sentencing records in the country for drug dealing and is commonly regarded by dealers as a soft option. Ian MacDonald Cheltenham, Gloucestershire - --- MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart