NOT ALL DRUG USERS HURT PEOPLE

Recent letter-writer Claire Mirolsky urged a tougher stance on drug users
and pushers because they hurt people.

I think it would be more appropriate to say, "Be harder on drug users and
pushers who hurt people." It would be even better to say, "Be harder on
people who hurt people."

People on drugs are not always held accountable for their actions, other
than being on drugs. Too often, criminals escape the justice system because
they were on drugs at the time of the crime. This should not be allowed to
happen.

However, drug users and pushers who do not hurt people have no more
business being in jail than people who just had a couple of beers and were
arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or driving with a
suspended license.

I agree with Mirolsky's assertion that there should be an identifiable
victim before jailing someone.

I disagree with her prejudice against all people who use and sell drugs --
and by "drugs" here, she and I mean only those controlled by the federal
government.

Not all people in this category do harm to others.

David McKinney, Miami