DRUG-FREE ZONES

Even though the county's prosecutor says, with good reason, that it's
largely useless, the city's effort to declare a drug-free zone around
community and recreation centers is still alive in the
legislature.

The city wants 20-year penalties available for anyone caught dealing
drugs close to facilities frequented by youth. It's a noble gesture -
but State's Attorney Frank Weathersbee points out that the law does
not include minimum sentences, so judges will go right on giving
first-time offenders only a year or so of jail time.

That 20-year maximum sentence will look good on the books. And that's
just where it will stay - useful for politicians, but not for
prosecutors.