CHANGE HARSH STATE DRUG RULES

For the past three years Gov. Jeb Bush and his mouthpiece, Florida
drug czar Jim McDonough, have deflected complaints about harsh state
drug policies by telling us how important they believe drug treatment
is, and their better approach to deal with drug abuse and the
associated crimes that often go with it.

Recently, Bush announced more cuts in the state budget, which pays for
drug treatment in our prisons, thus ending programs in all but four of
the state facilities.

Less than 48 hours later, his daughter was arrested on felony drug
charges. While we all hope that Noelle Bush gets any and all
appropriate help she needs, it brings clearly to the forefront the
hypocrisy of "get tough on drugs" laws.

Virtually all Floridians who are arrested on drug charges feel the
full brunt of Bush's harsh policies. Lacking resources for proper
defense counsel, the average citizen in this state will be ground up
by the harsh criminal sanctions against any drug use.

Bush endorses draconian drug policies because he knows that his family
and friends will never have to experience the full and complete
life-shattering consequences of these policies. If he says otherwise
now, you don't have to read his lips. Just check his proposed state
budget.

STEPHEN HEATH Drug Policy Forum of Florida Clearwater