FIGHT PROPOSED 'DRACONIAN' DRUG LAWS

Thanks for your excellent editorial regarding the latest GOP obsession and
smoke screen: HR 1528. I am becoming more and more alarmed at the workings
of our federal government. It's almost like Washington, D.C., is no longer
a part of the United States.

And it's time people wake up and got involved!

The legislation proposed by our neighbor to the north (Sensenbrenner of
Wisconsin) is draconian and the implications chilling.

And while some say, "It's just a starting point for discussion," and given
the current behavior of the U.S. Senate Majority, I think we need to be
concerned.

I think that it's worth reviewing the potential of this proposed
legislation which has already cleared the sub-committee.

* Increases penalties for every drug offense (including the new ones
created by the bill.)

* Mandatory two-year prison term for anyone who knows someone who sells
marijuana on college campus and fails to report it to police within 24 hours.

* Mandatory five-year prison term for someone at a part who passes a joint
to someone who has ever been in a drug treatment program.

* Expands federal "three strikes" law to include new offenses, including
mandating life in prison with no possibility of parole for anyone convict a
third time under the RAVE Act.

* Providing a person with sterile syringes gets up to three years in
prison, mandatory two years if the person is a minor.

* Requires you to spy on family, friends and neighbors, reporting their
drug possession and/or use: if you "witness" or "learn" that it took place,
you must report it to the police within 24 hours and provide "full
assistance" in the investigation, apprehension, and prosecution of the
people involved. Penalty? Mandatory prison sentence of not less than two
years, possibility of up to ten years. Unless Americans speak up, this bill
could become law.

It's already passed out of sub-committee. Sensenbrenner is lining up the
votes he needs to get it out of the full committee at this time. Then it
goes to the floor for a full House vote.

This isn't a scare tactic.

This is reality. Under the guise and deceptive title of "Safe Access To
Drug Treatment and Child Protection Act," HR 1528 is a frightening prospect.

And, as you so aptly pointed out, this failed "Drug War" waged by our
government has turned into a "self-perpetuating and profitable de facto
war" against the people of our country.

Within the last month, you ended your editorial "Bad Civics Lesson For
Teens, Society" with the reminder that punishing everyone and trampling on
basic Constitutional rights seems easier than making real change that would
meaningfully address drug use.

Again, thank you for your editorials and your leadership on these very
important issues. I hope that you will continue to do so and to urge the
people to become informed and active.

Elizabeth Wehrman, BSN, RN

LeClaire, Iowa