Pubdate: Sun, 20 Jul 2003 Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution (GA) Copyright: 2003 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Contact: http://www.accessatlanta.com/ajc/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/28 Author: Vincent Calamari Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v03/n1049/a09.html Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/prison.htm (Incarceration) THE WRONG MESSAGE Cynthia Tucker tries to make the case that there are too many criminals in prison because the laws against selling illegal narcotics are too stiff. What to do? Reduce the penalty for selling narcotics so that there aren't so many prisoners locked up. With that type of reasoning, the streets would be filled with criminals. Bottom line: Dealing drugs is a crime. The folks who were convicted for dealing drugs made a choice, and that choice had consequences. To reduce the penalty would send the message that you can get away with selling drugs. Vincent Calamari, Alpharetta - --- MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager