DRUG SENTENCING

After reading the article in the Upstate on Oct. 16 about the race for
sheriff, I see Chuck Wright as a candidate with a logical solution to the
drug problem. On the other hand, there's candidate Jack Owens, whom I might
have randomly voted for, being a loyal Democrat.

Owens is for stiffer penalties for drug offenders to resolve our drug
problems. It's hard to believe some still think adding more time to
offenders' sentences will fix the problem. South Carolina not only has
stiff drug penalties already in place, it has strict mandatory minimum
sentences. Oftentimes, small-time drug dealers must serve 85 percent of
their sentences because these tough laws classify many of them as violent
offenders.

According to 2003 S.C. Department of Corrections statistics, 22 percent to
25 percent of all S.C. prisoners are classified as dangerous drug
offenders. More prisoners are classified as dangerous drug offenders than
for any other crime.

South Carolina's strict sentencing laws are ineffective as well as cruel
and counterproductive. The only good thing to come out of this situation is
more jobs for corrections officers and more federal funds for the counties
that house these prisons.

Chuck Wright supports proven methods such as building self-esteem and
skills to combat our drug problem. I hope we can elect candidates
regardless of political party who support what's truly in our best interest
and who do not just tell us what they think we want to hear.

The community will demand answers, but it's up to our leaders to come up
with well-thought-out plans that work for the long term and not just offer
us the popular quick fix that doesn't work.

Andrea de Ugarte
Spartanburg