SAVE YOUR SYMPATHY FOR THE REAL VICTIMS

I am concerned about statements made in the Jan. 5 editorial, "Drug
law reform," that trivialize the amount of drugs that offenders sold
or possessed. The News supports the view that 2 to 4 ounces of cocaine
or heroin are "anecdotal evidence." The News argues that the weight is
not in balance with the mandatory sentence prescribed by state law.
This is not 2 or 4 ounces of cereal. Four ounces of cocaine or heroin
are substantial amounts of highly addictive drugs. The News also
prescribes treatment instead of incarceration. How do you treat a
person who sells drugs? Treatment is designed for users, not sellers.
The user is motivated by addiction; the seller is motivated by greed.

The News sees these drug laws as an "injustice done to families and
individuals by unbending terms." The injustice is done to those
families that must deal with the consequences of putting drugs on the
street. Many addicted mothers leave their babies home alone to visit
the drug dealers The News has such concern for. Many children will be
recruited and armed to defend drug territories for the drug dealers
The News thinks are being dealt with too harshly.

Individuals who possess and sell this quantity of drugs are in no need
of sympathy. Rather, they need to be dealt with as the current law
provides. Resources, editorials and treatment plans would be better
utilized for the true victims of drug use.

KRISTIAN A. LOVERN

Dunkirk