DON'T ABANDON PAROLE REFORM

I commend The Sun for the impressive investigation that revealed the
failures of the Break the Cycle program to monitor nonviolent but
drug-using offenders and provide swift, certain and graduated
punishments for all violations of the program's tough no-drug-use
standard ("Lieutenant governor hijacks probation," editorial, Nov.
20).

But the implication that Break the Cycle should be scrapped was way
off the mark. Break the Cycle deserves substantially increased
resources and stronger administrative support to fulfill its
potential as a national model for the criminal justice system.

The Sun's suggestion that the continuation of Break the Cycle be
conditioned on the provision of "adequate drug treatment" is also off
the mark.

Break the Cycle is a system to enforce the prohibition of illegal
drug use. It will work with or without additional drug treatment.
What it needs is a foolproof system of drug testing, linked to
certain punishments for positive or missed drug tests.

As the new president prepares to take office, whether it be Texas
Gov. George W. Bush or Vice President Al Gore, the only initiative
that could substantially cut U.S. demand for illicit drugs is a
national effort similar to Break the Cycle.

The Sun's investigations have shown that good ideas alone do not get
the job done. That is a major public service.

Let us not, however, abandon a truly promising idea that can win
broad support across the political spectrum because of solvable
administrative problems.