ATI WORTH THE APPLAUSE

Dear Sir,

I applaud the new policies of the Bermuda government which explore
alternatives to jail time for non-violent drug offenders ('Minister
confident ATI will stop prison's revolving door" - March 27).

Jail sentences for minor drug offenses - smoking pot or growing it for your
own use, for example - does not rehabilitate anyone. Instead, it exposes an
otherwise normal citizen to "real" criminals, transmitting bad habits and
disdain for the government.

Treatment programmes which allow the offender to carry on with their lives
as productive citizens are less expensive and more effective. I have no
doubt that Bermuda will be a better place for these new policies.

ADAM WIGGINS

DIRECTOR, NEOTERIC

Pasadena, California