Pubdate: Tue, 14 Oct 2003
Source: Roanoke Times (VA)
Copyright: 2003 Roanoke Times
Contact:  http://www.roanoke.com/roatimes/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/368

LIMBAUGH MAKES THE CASE FOR DRUG-LAW REFORM

Treatment Is The Proper Response To Addiction And Nonviolent Drug Offenses 
- - His And Those Of 200,000 Other Americans.

WHAT RESPONSE befits the drug-related downfall of Rush Limbaugh, a man who 
has made a lucrative broadcasting career out of intolerance, insensitivity, 
bombast, scorn and knee-jerk conservatism?

Tolerance, sensitivity, moderation, sympathy and, yes, what in the past 
Limbaugh has vehemently condemned as bleeding-heart liberalism.

And not because it would make him squirm to hear it.

Rather, it is the appropriate response to Limbaugh because it is the 
appropriate response to most nonviolent, low-level drug cases. After years 
of spewing venom at progressive reformers of every kind - feminists, 
environmentalists, gay and black activists - Limbaugh is, ironically, a 
perfect poster child for drug-law reform.

He blames his predicament on an addiction fostered by years of back 
problems and surgery. He reportedly made illegal purchases of vast 
quantities of painkillers such as OxyContin and failed in two 
rehabilitation attempts. Now he's making another try at rehab.

Under federal sentencing guidelines, he theoretically could face a long 
prison term. That would put him in the company of an estimated 200,000 
federal and state inmates - mostly minorities - now serving time for 
nonviolent drug possession and low-level dealing.

The cheaper, more practical and more humane response to their crimes would 
have been rehabilitation rather than prison. Many can cite causes similar 
to Limbaugh's: They got hooked because of pain, despair, weakness, 
foolishness, stupidity, recklessness.

But unlike celebrity abusers, they couldn't afford top lawyers and private 
clinics, and publicly funded rehab is scarce. And so, under tough drug 
laws, they ended up behind bars, costing the government far more than drug 
treatment ever would have.

Regardless of his fame and fortune, Limbaugh should get help, not prison.

And so should 200,000 other Americans.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman