THE WRONG MESSAGE

I am very grieved over an article in the Oct. 20 issue of the Watertown
Daily Times, headlined "Parole Supervision Set for Man in Drug Case." The
person received three separate prison terms but was sentenced to the
state's Willard drug rehab program. Once he completes the 90-to 120-day
program, he will be allowed to serve the remainder of his sentence free
under supervision.

This sends a message that it's OK to do drugs. You won't be penalized,
only a slap on the wrist. I don't know what the St. Lawrence County Court
(NY) was thinking. The truth is they weren't thinking at all. It was just
another way of getting out of paperwork and a little elbow grease.

It is sad to say the least after this person had sold cocaine to the St.
Lawrence County Drug Task Force in 1999. There was another charge in
August 2000.

Are we so afraid and living in fear of anthrax that the real terror of
drugs has eluded us into apathy about the devastation of drugs on our society?

Sharon Fyles
Gouverneur NY