Pubdate: March 7, 1999 Source: Los Angeles Times (CA) Copyright: 1999 Los Angeles Times. Contact: (213) 237-4712 Website: http://www.latimes.com/ Forum: http://www.latimes.com/HOME/DISCUSS/ Author: Ingrid Ralston Note: Headline by MAP editor IF THE INCARCERATION OF ADDICTS IS OF DOUBTFUL VALUE * * * Scheer described the failure of society's desperate efforts to throw off the incubus of crack babies and doperelated crime. However, those who flout our laws must expect punishment. If the incarceration of addicts is of doubtful value, then let's substitute a mandatory sentence of treatment for jail. And in lieu of this kind of offender, fill our jails with the armed misfits who prey on decent citizens. INGRID RALSTON, Los Angeles - --- MAP posted-by: Derek Rea