EXPERTS QUESTION U.S. REPORT ON DRUG SENTENCES

Drug offenders spend a year more in prison on average than they did 15
years ago, and drug offenses now make up about one third of federal
criminal cases, according to figures from the Department of Justice Bureau
of Statistics.

Both changes are the result of tougher drug sentencing, the bureau said.

More than 38,200 suspects were referred to federal prosecutors in 1999 for
alleged drug offenses, up from 11,854 in 1984. About 84 percent of these
suspects were charged later in a U.S. court, showed the figures, which were
released yesterday.

Criminal justice experts immediately questioned the agency's conclusions,
saying that according to Sentencing Commission figures, sentences had
fallen during the 1990s. Others questioned whether more punitive prison
terms would deter drug crime if prevention and treatment did not also
become a priority.

Changes in federal statutes mean that from 1984 to 1999, prison terms
imposed on drug offenders have increased from 62 months to 74 months on
average. Almost 90 percent of drug defendants were convicted and the vast
majority were convicted of drug trafficking. Fewer than one in 20 were
convicted of simple possession of drugs.

Racial differences were stark: 86 percent of crack cocaine offenders were
black, while 72 percent of methamphetamine offenders were white. Cocaine
was spread through all ethnic groups.

During 1999, the longest prison terms were imposed on drug offenders
involved with crack (114 months), drug offenders who possessed firearms
(156 months) and those with extensive records (125 months). Twenty-eight
percent of defendants received reduced sentences after providing
substantial assistance to prosecutors.

Attorney General John Ashcroft welcomed the findings.

"This report shows that tougher federal drug laws are making a real
difference in clearing major drug offenders from our streets," he said.
"Federal law enforcement is targeted effectively at convicting major drug
traffickers and punishing them with longer lockups in prison."

Law professors questioned the Bureau of Statistics' conclusions.

They said figures from the Administrative Office of the United States
Courts revealed that since 1991-1992 the average drug sentence had declined
by 22 percent - or nearly two years - per defendant, and preliminary
figures from the Sentencing Commission showed the decline continuing
throughout fiscal year 2000.