WRONG RESPONSE TO DRUG PROBLEM

Regarding "Whitman targets Ecstasy dealers: Proposes harsh penalties
for sales" (Page A-1, June 14):

With the nation's prison population now at more than 2 million,
Governor Whitman has decided to pass more-punitive prison sentences to
create even more unemployable people. Charles DeGaulle was right that
politics is too serious to waste on politicians -- especially this
one.

We now have fully one-quarter of the world's prisoners, surpassing
even Russia and China's inmate population. There are now 304,304
persons either serving time or waiting trial for a drug offense.
Tragically, however, the most widely recognized solution to the
problems of drug abuse and addiction -- drug treatment -- remains
unavailable to the vast majority of those in need.

Typical state penalties for drug possession (excluding marijuana) are
up to five years for a first offense and one to 10 years for a second
offense. Former Gov. Brendan Byrne noted recently that there is a need
for decriminalization, as did tough-on-crime Supreme Court Chief
Justice William Rehnquist. A number of states -- not this one -- have
initiatives on the ballot to decriminalize. They realize that the
average cost of maintaining a prison inmate is $23,406 a year, while
the average annual cost of drug-treatment is $4,300, and it is more
effective.

A recent Human Rights report noted the racial inequalities in such
harsh laws. But Governor Whitman is oblivious to everything but a sound bite.

Bill Weightman,
Stockholm