TREATMENT PLAN NO WHITE FLAG

Your editorial "White Flag" (Aug. 28) was way off base. Surrendering the
futile drug war would require that we in Ohio do nothing to combat drug
use, far from what the actual Ohio Drug Treatment Amendment will do.

The 60 years of "lock 'em up" policy Ohio residents have endured has
resulted in absolutely nothing except the expansion and increased expense
of law enforcement, the erosion of civil liberties, a prison-building boon
that has played a role in the 6.6 million Americans behind bars, on parole
or probation.

Drug treatment is 10 times more effective than prison at reducing drug
abuse. Further, discretion will be restored to judges that have lost their
discretion due to mandatory minimum sentences. Only non-violent offenders,
are eligible. Traffickers, or those violating impaired driving laws are not
eligible for treatment.

Contrary to the opinion of The Parkersburg News, building prisons is the
white flag in this drug war, a be all, end all, solve absolutely nothing
method of dealing with a public health issue.

Where do we stop when the prison population reaches 6.6 billion?

Ohio is about to take the first step to reducing the harm associated with
drug addiction, a step toward sane drug policies, a step toward helping
addicts recover before they become nothing but drug addicts with a felony
record, and no hope whatsoever for the future. The Ohio Drug Treatment
Amendment, Issue 1, offers hope and a chance to thousands of non-violent
citizens, because in Ohio, we care.

Jim White, Oregon, Ohio