Drug sentencing is inequitable

To the editor:

The section in the Wednesday edition titled "Briefly" is a great example of everything wrong with the war on drugs and our justice system in general. One story tells of Randall Doan, who is charged with selling half an ounce of marijuana to an undercover officer. This is a small amount of the drug. Possession of this amount is not a felony, although sale is. Because Mr. Doan has a prior offense (also for marijuana), he is facing life in prison. Meanwhile other stories in the section tell of two men who got six years for distribution of crack, and charges were dropped against one man in a case involving the manufacture and distribution of crack.

Also, two men pleaded not guilty, one to the molestation of a 12-year-old girl and the other to rape involving a 15-year-old girl. I guarantee neither of these men will do life in prison if convicted.

We are using all the prison space for small-time drug offenders, while rapists, child molesters and murders are let off with slaps on the wrists considering their crimes. It makes me sick.

RUBY K. PAYNE, Cape Girardeau