Pubdate: Sun, 28 Oct 2007
Source: Akron Beacon Journal (OH)
Copyright: 2007 The Beacon Journal Publishing Co.
Contact:  http://www.ohio.com/mld/beaconjournal/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/6
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/racial.htm (Racial Issues)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?199 (Mandatory Minimum Sentencing)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/rehab.htm (Treatment)

CRACK V. COCAINE

The Ohio Senate Addresses A Glaring Disparity In Punishment

The Ohio Senate gave unanimous approval last week to a measure that 
would change penalties attached to cocaine and crack offenses. The 
approval has been a long time coming.

In the 1980s, as cocaine powder and its cheaper derivative, crack, 
took hold across the country, violent crimes soared. Draconian 
sentences were imposed for drug offenses, with the goal to take drug 
kingpins and dealers off the streets for a long time. The goal was 
defensible. Still, the laws made an artificial distinction between 
cocaine powder and crack, creating indefensible disparities in 
punishing drug trafficking and possession.

Under the current drug-possession law in Ohio, for instance, 25 grams 
of crack is equivalent to 500 grams of cocaine powder. Both carry the 
same mandatory prison sentence. It takes 100 grams of crack to be 
labeled a ''major drug offender,'' same as possessing 1,000 grams of 
the powder.

The disparities have disproportionately penalized African-American 
offenders, the poor and low-level dealers and addicts who favor the 
cheaper cocaine derivative. The result is that minority offenders 
serve much longer prison sentences than whites convicted in powder 
cocaine offenses.

It is important that Ohio ''equalize'' the penalties. All the same, 
the Senate's approach, which would raise the penalties for powder 
cocaine offenses to match the current ones for crack, is 
disappointing. Ohio's jails and prisons already are bursting with 
drug offenders who will benefit more from treatment than long 
stretches behind bars. Revising the penalties upward means more 
Ohioans will serve longer sentences, with a higher cost to the state.

The cocaine scourge of the 1980s spawned a war on drugs with 
outrageous, tough-on-crime measures (such as ''three strikes and 
you're out'') with questionable results. It is for good reason the 
U.S. Sentencing Commission recommends reduced sentences. It is time 
to move beyond the hysterical response of the '80s and look for 
reasonable alternatives to reclaim lives damaged by cocaine.

The Ohio Senate gave unanimous approval last week to a measure that 
would change penalties attached to cocaine and crack offenses. The 
approval has been a long time coming.

In the 1980s, as cocaine powder and its cheaper derivative, crack, 
took hold across the country, violent crimes soared. Draconian 
sentences were imposed for drug offenses, with the goal to take drug 
kingpins and dealers off the streets for a long time. The goal was 
defensible. Still, the laws made an artificial distinction between 
cocaine powder and crack, creating indefensible disparities in 
punishing drug trafficking and possession.

Under the current drug-possession law in Ohio, for instance, 25 grams 
of crack is equivalent to 500 grams of cocaine powder. Both carry the 
same mandatory prison sentence. It takes 100 grams of crack to be 
labeled a ''major drug offender,'' same as possessing 1,000 grams of 
the powder.

The disparities have disproportionately penalized African-American 
offenders, the poor and low-level dealers and addicts who favor the 
cheaper cocaine derivative. The result is that minority offenders 
serve much longer prison sentences than whites convicted in powder 
cocaine offenses.

It is important that Ohio ''equalize'' the penalties. All the same, 
the Senate's approach, which would raise the penalties for powder 
cocaine offenses to match the current ones for crack, is 
disappointing. Ohio's jails and prisons already are bursting with 
drug offenders who will benefit more from treatment than long 
stretches behind bars. Revising the penalties upward means more 
Ohioans will serve longer sentences, with a higher cost to the state.

The cocaine scourge of the 1980s spawned a war on drugs with 
outrageous, tough-on-crime measures (such as ''three strikes and 
you're out'') with questionable results. It is for good reason the 
U.S. Sentencing Commission recommends reduced sentences. It is time 
to move beyond the hysterical response of the '80s and look for 
reasonable alternatives to reclaim lives damaged by cocaine.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom