Pubdate: Mon, 08 Nov 1999 Date: 11/08/1999 Source: Los Angeles Times (CA) Author: Mona Davis Re "Actor Downey Doing Hard Time for an Illness," Nov. 3: I agree with Mike Downey's position opposing the incarceration of drug addicts. However, I object to his using Robert Downey Jr. as his poster boy. He does not so much as acknowledge the poor and unknown who constitute the overwhelming majority of those who find themselves in prison for drug use. Most of those have not been given the special considerations that Downey Jr. received. One's acting ability, moneyed connections and charm should not determine incarceration or freedom. I find Mike Downey's pandering to celebrity offensive. Mona Davis, Cypress