Pubdate: Tue, 12 Sep 2000
Source: Ft. Worth Star-Telegram (TX)
Copyright: 2000 Star-Telegram, Fort Worth, Texas
Contact:  http://www.star-telegram.com/
Forum: http://www.star-telegram.com/comm/forums/
Author:  Wallace Craig

PRISON AND DRUG POLICY

When are we as a people going to say that enough is enough?

We have enough prison capacity to last for the next 100 years if we will 
stop treating every drug problem with prison time. The vast majority of 
inmates are there on drug-related charges; this continues to make no 
economic or moral sense.

These people should be in treatment programs and not prison; it would 
certainly be more productive and would cease to create an unnecessary 
felony record for thousands.

We are totally out of step with every other state in the union on the 
number of prison inmates. I just don't believe we are that distinctive in 
Texas.

Let's wake up and demand that the Legislature get a grip on this issue 
before there are more people in prison than outside.

Wallace Craig
Colleyville
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