DRUG USERS, OFFENDERS ARE NOT THE SAME

After reading "War on drugs the modern-day Jim Crow" (April 2, Page
B-5), I was compelled to write. Arianna Huffington wrote from a report
by the American Civil Liberties Union that blacks make up 15 percent
of drug users, but account for 37 percent of those arrested on drug
charges and 74 percent of drug offenders sent to prison.

She should know there is a difference between a "drug user" and a
"drug offender." A drug user is normally a drug addict. A drug
offender could instead be in possession of a controlled substance,
selling illegal drugs or manufacturing drugs. Drug offenders usually
supply users their drug of choice. If Huffington was to research the
geographical areas that heroin, cocaine and meth arrive from, she
would see that a lot comes from Mexico (which would account for more
Latinos being incarcerated as drug offenders).

Until Huffington admits that there is only one race -- the human race
- -- she will never make progress finding a solution for the war on
drugs. I agree a lot of changes need to be made in this terrible war,
but creating distinctions between races only divides the real purpose.

Bertha Leandro,

Modesto