HARSH DRUG LAWS HARM WOMEN

Gwen Filosa's well-researched Oct. 29 article on the boom in Louisiana women behind bars noted that mandatory minimums for drug possession brought more women into prison for longer stretches ("State women's prison is running out of room: New cell wing to open by 2003")

The rise in women behind bars in Louisiana reflects a nationwide trend. With violent crime rates continuing to fall, the drug war is the principle reason the United States now has the highest incarceration rate in the world.

Putting otherwise law-abiding Americans who use illicit drugs behind bars with violent criminals is a dangerous proposition.

Would alcoholics seek help for their illness if doing so were tantamount to confessing to criminal activity?

It's time to begin pursuing harm reduction policies that acknowledge the negative consequences of both drug use and drug enforcement.

Robert Sharpe

Program officer

The Lindesmith Center

Drug Policy Foundation

Washington, D.C.