LIMBAUGH MAKES THE CASE FOR DRUG-LAW REFORM

Treatment Is The Proper Response To Addiction And Nonviolent Drug Offenses
- - His And Those Of 200,000 Other Americans.

WHAT RESPONSE befits the drug-related downfall of Rush Limbaugh, a man who
has made a lucrative broadcasting career out of intolerance, insensitivity,
bombast, scorn and knee-jerk conservatism?

Tolerance, sensitivity, moderation, sympathy and, yes, what in the past
Limbaugh has vehemently condemned as bleeding-heart liberalism.

And not because it would make him squirm to hear it.

Rather, it is the appropriate response to Limbaugh because it is the
appropriate response to most nonviolent, low-level drug cases. After years
of spewing venom at progressive reformers of every kind - feminists,
environmentalists, gay and black activists - Limbaugh is, ironically, a
perfect poster child for drug-law reform.

He blames his predicament on an addiction fostered by years of back
problems and surgery. He reportedly made illegal purchases of vast
quantities of painkillers such as OxyContin and failed in two
rehabilitation attempts. Now he's making another try at rehab.

Under federal sentencing guidelines, he theoretically could face a long
prison term. That would put him in the company of an estimated 200,000
federal and state inmates - mostly minorities - now serving time for
nonviolent drug possession and low-level dealing.

The cheaper, more practical and more humane response to their crimes would
have been rehabilitation rather than prison. Many can cite causes similar
to Limbaugh's: They got hooked because of pain, despair, weakness,
foolishness, stupidity, recklessness.

But unlike celebrity abusers, they couldn't afford top lawyers and private
clinics, and publicly funded rehab is scarce. And so, under tough drug
laws, they ended up behind bars, costing the government far more than drug
treatment ever would have.

Regardless of his fame and fortune, Limbaugh should get help, not prison.

And so should 200,000 other Americans.