CITY MUST TARGET DRUG-USERS FOR ARREST

Editor, Times-Dispatch: Have many times have we picked up the newspaper or
turned on the TV and learned of yet another drug-related murder in
Richmond? It is up to us to take action to end the drug violence.

We can start by contacting elected officials and demanding that they
approve legislation to require tougher sentencing for illegal drug
possession. While it is still very important to punish drug-dealers and
manufacturers, it's also very important to punish those who purchase the
illegal drugs.

It's simply a case of supply and demand.

If there's no demand, there won't be any need for a supply.

Arresting drug-users is similar to Richmond's policy of arresting
individuals who solicit prostitutes.

There may be some concern about overfilling our prisons with addicts and
pushers. But is it more important to keep prison populations low, or to
keep our communities safe from drug-addicted criminals?

Bob Coats, Aylett.