TREAT AND EDUCATE

I am writing in regard to the editorial stating that Jeb Bush's decision to
increase funding for more jails is the ``right'' decision (Our Opinion,
Sept. 2). I strongly disagree with the points made in the editorial and do
not believe that they reflect all the options available to deal with the
overcrowding in Florida's jails. I feel that those in jail for narcotics do
not need to be incarcerated, but treated and educated to successfully hold
their own in society, not just take up space in a prison cell.

The claim that this is the only way to rid the streets of drug dealers is
also faulty. The editorial never considered that there are problems beyond
these people's alternative means of earning money. Could there be a problem
with our economy? Job insecurity or ridiculously low wages, perhaps? But
instead of going to the root of the problem, we are just scratching the
surface and building more jails. This money should go to improving working
conditions and opportunities and education systems. Yes, the same education
systems that have recently been drastically cut back.

I find The Tampa Tribune's account of this decision to be lacking any sort
of fair spectrum of ideas and options. As a voice of the people, the Tribune
should defend the good of the people, not convince them that it is the
``right'' decision to lead us into the classification of a police state.

Lily Lewis, Tampa