Pubdate: Mon, 31 Dec 2007 Source: News & Observer (Raleigh, NC) Copyright: 2007 The News and Observer Publishing Company Contact: http://www.newsobserver.com/484/story/433256.html Website: http://www.news-observer.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/304 Author: Edith Price WRONG WAY ON COCAINE Regarding the Dec. 16 story "Crack convicts eye early releases": Why would authorities even think about lowering sentences on crack cocaine convictions? If they want to make crack cocaine sentences equal to powder cocaine convictions, wouldn't it make more sense to go in the other direction? If a crack conviction carries 20 years and a powder conviction carries 10 years now, why not make them both carry 20-year sentences instead of making them both carry 10 years? That just might make the criminals think twice before doing or selling either one. We all know the dangers of both, so why are people wanting lighter sentences instead of harsher ones? - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake