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