CALIFORNIA ON RIGHT TRACK ON DRUG POLICY

When I read about the suspended sentence given by the state of California
to Robert Downey Jr. for his drug-addiction problems, I initially thought
he got off easy because of his celebrity status.

The next day, I read where Russell Jones (rapper ODB) was sentenced to two
to four years in prison by the state of New York, and I wondered about the
consistency of drug-abuse policy.

It's about time that we recognize that substance abuse is a disease that
needs treatment, not punishment. California's penalty of fines and
mandatory rehabilitation is the preferred prescription.

Albert J. Sadowski

Lexington