Pubdate: Mon, 24 Jan 2005
Source: Richmond Times-Dispatch (VA)
Copyright: 2005 Richmond Newspapers Inc.
Contact:  http://www.timesdispatch.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/365
Author: Bob Coats
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/prison.htm (Incarceration)

CITY MUST TARGET DRUG-USERS FOR ARREST

Editor, Times-Dispatch: Have many times have we picked up the newspaper or 
turned on the TV and learned of yet another drug-related murder in 
Richmond? It is up to us to take action to end the drug violence.

We can start by contacting elected officials and demanding that they 
approve legislation to require tougher sentencing for illegal drug 
possession. While it is still very important to punish drug-dealers and 
manufacturers, it's also very important to punish those who purchase the 
illegal drugs.

It's simply a case of supply and demand.

If there's no demand, there won't be any need for a supply.

Arresting drug-users is similar to Richmond's policy of arresting 
individuals who solicit prostitutes.

There may be some concern about overfilling our prisons with addicts and 
pushers. But is it more important to keep prison populations low, or to 
keep our communities safe from drug-addicted criminals?

Bob Coats, Aylett.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jackl