CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM NEEDS NEW FOCUS

The column on treating addiction, not imprisoning it was a welcome addition
to the rising chorus of American voices protesting the heavy-handed
zero-tolerance approach to the tragedy of addiction ("Treatment, not jail,
for non-violent addicts," May 20). When no victims exist other than the
addicts themselves, it's clear our drug war-crazed criminal justice system
has become the bull in the china shop of addicts' delicate nervous systems.

Contrary to the old saw, prison and jail do nothing for the addict but send
him or her further toward the septic field. No-fault possession laws - no
victim, no crime - and enlightened medical maintenance would effectively
remove the addict vector from the drug paradigm and would do more toward
curbing - medicalizing - drug use than a plan against Colombia.

But that would require millions of Americans to see beyond their
prejudices. Alas.

Dave Michon

Eau Claire