IMPRISONING DRUG DEALERS WILL CURB DRUG PROBLEM

Judge Joel August sent the wrong message when sentencing two individuals
arrested for selling drugs July 5, 2002 (The Maui News, April 18, April 26).

One individual had a conviction of prior drug offenses nearly 20 years ago
and had been paroled from a 10-year prison term. He was unemployed, a drug
user, and was not supporting his four children. The prosecution requested a
10-year sentence, but Judge August sentenced the person to one year in jail.

Another individual involved in the drug transaction, who also pleaded no
contest to second degree promotion of a dangerous drug, got probation. Court
records showed this individual had nine previous convictions for contempt of
court as well as DUI convictions in 1992 and 2002 and was ordered to serve a
five-day jail term for her latest DUI arrest. Judge August did not sentence
this individual to spend one day in jail for selling dangerous drugs!

These sentences will hardly deter drug users from becoming dealers to
support their habit. I believe the message the court should send is that if
you sell drugs you go to jail for a long time. Without numerous dealers, the
drug problem would not be as serious as it is on Maui.

Chris Svendsen

Maalaea