WE'VE LOST THE DRUG WAR

I take issue with Donnie R. Marshall's April 21 op-ed piece, "How Real Is
'Traffic'?" As a nonviolent drug offender incarcerated in a federal prison,
I am prohibited by law from watching the movie. But Mr. Marshall's
assertion that most drug offenders in federal prison are dealers is
preposterous.

Charges such as intent to distribute, trafficking and conspiracy have legal
definitions encompassing such acts as giving away, portioning out or even
having knowledge of drugs or of a deal. That means, for example, that
passing a joint between friends is legally defined as trafficking.

His vision of a winnable drug war is in contrast to a projected 30 percent
increase in the Federal Bureau of Prisons' inmate population in the next
five years. Suspects who refuse or are unable to cooperate receive long
sentences, and sometimes family members wind up indicted as well to serve
as government bargaining chips. Too often it is the bigger players with the
most names to provide who receive the least prison time.

How many Americans will we continue to incarcerate before we decide to try
a more humane and effective policy, such as that of Canada or even the
Netherlands?

Channing Webster, Ashland, Ky.