SENSIBLE STRATEGY COULD HELP ADDICTS

Thank you, Sen. Duane Grimes, for your astute comments on the failure of
the drug war as reported in the Missoulian Sept. 26. ("Panel recommends
more treatment."). It is a relief to hear from a legislator unafraid to
tell the truth about drugs: "Law enforcement support alone will never solve
the problem."

The fact of the matter is that drug abuse, particularly the abuse of drugs
such as heroin and methamphetamine, would be much more effectively treated
as a public health issue, rather than a criminal justice issue. Obviously,
if someone is also committing violent or property crimes, their issues with
drugs certainly don't excuse that behavior. But if their only offense is
buying, possessing, or using illegal drugs, they should be provided with
the opportunity to receive drug treatment rather than ruining their lives
with a felony conviction and clogging up the courts and prisons.

With regards to marijuana, a more sensible policy than our current strategy
would be to issue civil penalties similar to parking tickets for minor
offenses. Since marijuana is used by far more people than any other illegal
drug, and in almost all cases done so peacefully and without incident or
abuse, this would free up significant criminal justice resources to deal
with violent and property crimes, as well as treatment resources to help
people having problems with the harder drugs.

John Masterson, Montana NORML