PORT HURON'S DRUG WAR TAKES A CURIOUS TURN

Courier, Not Dealer, Faces Life Term

Don't confuse this with a call to legalize drugs or even to
decriminalize them. The war on drugs is a just cause. Its tactics,
though, can be cause for concern.

Veronica Miller is facing the possibility of life in prison. The
43-year-old Port Huron resident is charged with delivering a
controlled substance - heroin - to Kim Larvins, who died of an
overdose Feb. 9. The death of the 30-year-old Port Huron resident is
a tragedy. Found unconscious Jan. 30 on the porch of Miller's Lapeer
Avenue home, Larvins spent her last days comatose in a hospital until she died.

Someone should be held responsible. So far, Miller is the only candidate.

Miller didn't sell Larvins the heroin that ultimately took her life.
According to Port Huron police Sgt Jeff Baker, Larvins gave Miller
money to buy the drug.

As grievous as her death certainly must be, Larvins wasn't forced to
take the drug. She did so willingly. If Miller bought the heroin for
her, as police allege, she broke the law - and so did Larvins.

Miller is no angel. She served two prison terms for a variety of
felonies, including assault with a dangerous weapon and retail fraud.
If she is convicted, the habitual-offender status will factor into
her minimum sentence.

Undoubtedly, there will be some who applaud it as a victory in the
war on drugs. There also are some who question the harsh penalty
Miller faces. "If we truly are waging war against drugs," they ask,
"then why isn't the person or persons who sold the heroin being charged?"

St. Clair County Prosecutor Mike Wendling isn't opposed to such a
development. The case he has at this point, though, is against the
woman who bought the drugs for Larvins.

"If evidence comes to light that would justify a criminal charge
against another individual, we would review that at that time," Wendling said.

Miller allegedly bought the heroin at a residence near 11th Street
and Lapeer Avenue. The investigation is ongoing, and there may be
credible reasons why no one from that residence has been charged.
That Miller is the only one held responsible is difficult to accept.

Port Huron police and the St. Clair County Drug Task Force constitute
the vanguard in this community's war on drugs. More than a month
after a fatal heroin overdose, the public should expect greater results.

The war on drugs - locally and nationally - often is advanced by
small victories. On the street, they usually are counted in the
number of dealers who no longer are able to do business.

Michigan's prisons are bursting at the seams. Gov. Jennifer Granholm
wants to reduce the population pressure by releasing about 3,400
prisoners - including those convicted for minor drug offenses.

If anyone should face a possible life sentence, it ought to be the
person or persons who sold Miller the dope. Putting Miller away,
while Larvins' dealer remains free, just doesn't seem like an
effective way to fight drugs.