PUBLIC MUST KNOW WHAT HAPPENS TO DRUG ARRESTEES

It happens with increasing regularity, it seems. Law enforcement
officers from several agencies conduct a sweep through the area,
arresting dozens of people and charging them with dealing drugs.

But what happens next?

Based on a review by The Herald- Dispatch of drug arrests in 2004, 35
percent of people arrested for drug trafficking saw the charges
against them dismissed. Only 11 percent were sentenced to a year or
more in prison. Another 2 percent were sentenced to time already
served while awaiting trial; in some cases, time served could have
been more than a year. About 18 percent of cases are still pending in court.

The newspaper's review was just a snapshot of what's going on in the
judicial system, but it does indicate there is a big gap between
those drug raids and people doing hard time.

Cabell County Prosecutor Chris Chiles says the numbers don't give an
accurate picture of what goes on in magistrate court, where many of
the cases are disposed of. So many things go into prosecuting a drug
case that a simple tabulation of sentences, plea bargains and
dismissals gives a false impression of what really happens, he says.

And with an increased emphasis in 2005, things are getting tougher on
dealers, Chiles says.

That's good, and we hope the greater push on drugs will be
accompanied by more information for the public on what happens to the
people who are arrested.

Gov. Joe Manchin wants to make drug enforcement one of his priorities
for the legislative session under way.

"We've declared war on drug dealers, and we're not going to stop
until we win," he said last week. "They should be treated the same as
sex offenders, as far as I'm concerned. They both prey on our children."

The governor wants $1 million appropriated to the West Virginia State
Police for drug enforcement, and he wants to give $1 million to
community corrections programs that would help ease crowding in the
state's prison system. However, he likely will not propose any new,
stronger penalties, spokeswoman Lara Ramsburg said.

Delegate Greg Howard, R-Cabell, said last week he will introduce
legislation increasing the mandatory sentence for people convicted of
possession with intent to deliver.

We need more money for law enforcement. We need stiffer sentences,
and we agree with Manchin's comments that the tougher response needs
to focus on first-time offenders. The review of recent cases shows
far too many defendants getting light treatment only to show up a few
months later with another drug offense.

The war on drug dealers also should be accompanied by an annual
report to the citizens of West Virginia, detailing how many people
are arrested, how many are sent to jail and for how long. Such a
report would not only increase accountability, but it also would send
a message to drug dealers that we mean business.