Ironwood Daily Globe from Ironwood, Michigan • Page 3

THE DAILY GLOBE, Ironwood, Ml pinion Wednesday, May 14,1997 Page6 New debate beginning over cocaine penalties By MICHAEL J. SN1FFEN Associated Press Writer WASHINGTON (AP) With.a new debate beginning over cocaine penalties, a Rand Corp. study concluded Monday that mandatory minimum sentences are far effective at reducing drug use and drug-related crime than normal law enforcement and treatment of heavy users. Mandatory minimums quickly drive up the price of drugs as criminals seek larger rewards for risking such sentences. But because the cost of keeping those criminals in prison is so high, after just two years equal spending on conventional law enforcement and drug treatment begins producing far greater reductions in crime and drug use, said study leader Jonathan P.

Caulkins of Rand's Drug Policy Research Center. "Mandatory minimum sentences appear cost-effective only to the pathologically myopic," because their advantage over other strategies is so short- lived, said Caulkins, a Carnegie Mellon University professor. The nonprofit think tnnk's study calculated that if $1 million more were spent on each drug strategy, over 15 years: minimums would reduce national What's up with Hurley's murder case? I am writing to show my concern for the Diane Schultz family and the entire community of Hurley. Why has no one been charged with this crime that took place one year ago? An even more unnerving ques- ti'on is: Why haven't we heard of any crime lab results, such as DNA evidence? Is it because there are no crime lab results? And is that because the county bureaucrats have chosen not to approve funding for these tests? Letter cocaine consumption by 13 kilograms. Conventional enforcement would cut it by 27 kilograms; treatment of heavy users would slash it by more than 100 kilograms.

law enforcement including more arrests of drug dealers, confiscations, prosecutions and standard-length prison terms would eliminate 70 percent more crimes against people than mandatory minimums. The average mandatory minimum sentence, usually triggered by possession of a fixed amount of drugs, is 6.7 years; the average conventional sentence is 1.1 years. of heavy users would reduce about 1.0 times more serious crime against people and property than conventional law enforcement and 15 times more than mandatory minimums even though an average of only 13 percent of those receiving treatment kick their drug habits. 1 Because nearly all the cost of treatment, $1,800 per person, occurs in the first year, incarceration initially looks better. But after the second year, as the cost of imprisonment mounts, treatment be- comes dramatically more cost-effective as benefits from heavy users who quit drugs continue without additional cost, Caulkins said.

"Who has a two-year time horizon? Members of Congress and state legislatures," Caulkins said in an interview, offering an explanation for the political popularity and growth of mandatory minimums since the 1980s. The federal government and a large majority of states have such sentences. A new debate is beginning over the federal minimums for cocaine five years in prison for possessing or selling 5 grams.of crack cocaine or 500 grams of powder cocaine. In 1995, the Federal Sentencing Commission recommended equalizing the penalties for possession and sale of.the two varieties, partly because of complaints of racial bias. More than 90 per cent of defendants in the more heavily penalized crack cases are black, compared with only 25 percent of powder defendants.

But Republicans in Congress and President Clinton rejected that on grounds that crack, which is made from powder, is easier to distribute and damages more neighborhoods. Attorney General Janet Reno suggested more modest adjustment. Two weeks ago, the commission proposed five- year minimums for sale of 25 to 75 grams of crack, sale of 125 to 375 grams of powder cocaine, and possession of 500 grams of Rep. Bill McCollum, said Monday the House crime subcommittee he chairs would hold hearings on the proposals by summer. McCollum criticized the Rand study.

They miss the principal value of mandatory minimums: the deterrent message that certainty of punishment gives," he said. "There's no way to count the kids deterred from drugs in the first place." Clinton's drug policy chief Barry McCaffrey agreed with Rand's thesis. "Swiftness and surety of sentencing, not just the length, are key to assuring the deterrent message," McCaffrey said. "We cannot simply arrest our way out of the drug problem: Law enforcement must be linked with drug treatment." Republican Sen. Phil Gramm of Texas conceded that imprisonment "is not the cheapest way to deal with drug crime," but said shorter sentences let criminals out to "drain far more money and an" guish from our society." Harvard Law Professor Philip B.

Heymann, formerly Clinton's deputy attorney general, said, "Congress and the president are inclined to do what feels good: Lock people up for a long time." "What works are things that get all over the addict, like treatment, even compulsory treatment and drug courts that slap them in jail if they drop out of treatment," Heymann said. If that is the case, why not? Do deem it necessary and vital to our community to know who murderer is? Or are they complacent with their feelings of security because they feel that they have already "their killer?" Do they sleep well at night being unsure of who did this unspeakable act? I know that I do not. I know that loved ones of DeeDee do not. I hope that no one does. Why isn't the community more concerned with finding the whoever it is? Is that because many have also rushed to judgement? No one can deny the fact that on May 16, 1996; Diane Schultz was murdered at her Hurley residence and no can deny the fact that nobody has been con: victed or even charged with the crime.

I believe that no one, not even one person, can say that they do not have questions. This would be a good time to start asking. Please keep DeeDee's family in your prayers. M.J. Matero Lundberg, Hurley NeWS ITEM- 63-YEAR-0LP WoMAM GIVES PILT amounts to U.P.

counties Almanac Datebook Mary Borseth wrote you recently about the millage that residents in the Ewen-Trout Creek are are. being assessed to build a new school. Although she had never contacted my office prior to her letter, I agree with some, of her concerns over federal payments to local units of government. First, I must correct a false impression she may have created. Ms.

Borseth stated "the federal government owns approximately 62 percent of the land in this district and pays no taxes." This technically is true; units of government do not pay taxes to one another. However, counties receive 25 percent of timber sale revenues, and the federal government makes "payments in lieu of tax- Lcwmakers Write es," termed PILT, to Ontonagon County at the rate of 71 cents per acre. A major 'problem with PILT payments is they have never been indexed for inflation since the program's inception in 1976. In testimony 'before a House panel in a prior session of Congress, I argued that this failure to index PILT payments was the same as reducing the payment year after year. I also have cosponsored legislation, approved by the House, that increased the authorized amount of PILT payments.

I am very much aware of the efforts made by the residents of Ewen, Trout Creek, and Bergland to build a new high school. Several years ago, I announced a federal low interest loan to add water lines to the district, and in March, I announced a similar loan was being made to McMillan Township for a sewer line to serve the school. Because of the nature of land ownership, in the Upper Peninsula and as a Yooper like Mary Borseth I will continue my efforts to make sure that timber sales are made according to an approved plan and to increase levels of PILT payments. U.S. Rep.

Bart Stupak Legislature's performance 'spotty' May 14, 1997 Today is the 131th day of J997 and (he day of spring. TODAY'S HISTORY: On this day in 1607, the first permanent English settlement in North America was founded at Jamestown in Virginia. On this day in 1942, an act of Congress established the Women's Auxiliary Army Corps. On this day in 1643, 4-year-oid Louis XIV became king of France. TODAY'S WEATHER: On this day in 1898.

buildings in Kansas City, sustained extensive damage when the city was pelted with an intense hailstorm By JENNIFER LOVEN AP Writer LANSING, Mich. (AP) When voters put Democrats back in charge of the Michigan House, they handed them the chance to be not just an alternative voice in the GOP-dominated Capitol, but an effective one. That call to leadership was a tall order, given the times. With a governor's race and the first effects of term limits both due in 1998, all action in Lansing already is injected with a higher- than-usual dose of politics and posturing. And it's early in the two-year legislative session, so Democrats have plenty of time left'to make their mark.

Doonesbury Still, a look at their first four months of affecting and crafting legislation, watchdogging GOP Gov. John Engler's administration and running the House day- to-day shows a spotty performance. The Democrats passed 12 of the 13 bills they promised to take up in the House within 90 days. While some measures underwent slight changes, the list matches almost exactly what Democrats had said they would pursue if they regained the majority in last November's elections. Some pieces of the agenda appear to have more to do with assuming politically popular stances than with addressing Michigan's most pressing needs.

For example, the Democrats' emphasis on Medicaid protection takes a page from the playbook that re-elected President Clinton but ignores that states have very little control over how the program is run and funded. so, many of the proposals passed the House with significant GOP support. But only one an increase in the state minimum wage has been taken up in the Senate. It was approved. The Democrats' challenge is whether they can convert their agenda from merely darts to be thrown during future campaigns into new laws.

That's always harder when the Legislature is split between two parties. So to get any of their priorities through, Democrats must aggressively seek compromise with Engler and the Republican- controlled Senate. BY GARRY TRUDEAU DAILY WISCONSIN NEWSPAPER ASSN. UCHIGAK ASSOCIATED PRESS Gary Lamberg Andy Hill Manager Managing Editor Ralph An ami News Editor In Our Opinion Keep a watch out for spring pedestrians Whenever Heikki Lunta decides to leave us alone and head far North, it's a pretty good bet spring will arrive. These last couple of snows have many wondering if wishes for warmer weather will ever come true.

They will. Along with warmer weather come outdoor enthusiasts eager for a season of walking, roller blading, skateboarding, motorcycling and other pursuits. In their joy at getting out, it's easy for them to forget about basic traffic safety. At the same time, drivers accustomed to keeping a sharp lookout for winter driving hazards tend to let down their guards because of snowless driving conditions. This situation can lead to dangerous consequences for all concerned.

Drivers must keep a sharp eye out for folks enjoying the moderating weather. Basic rules of the road must be observed by all to avoid disaster. We encourage bicycle enthusiasts of all ages to take a tip from the kids on the front page of Tuesday's Daily Globe and wear safety helmets while riding. In-line skaters and skateboarders without basic knee and elbow pads are asking for trouble. The short season people have to enjoy outdoors makes them want to squeeze as much into as little time as possible.

Safety factors may not be the first consideration. It's better to spend a little time on safety concerns than waste a good portion of the great weather recuperating from foolish accidents. When the sun finally decides to shine, we look forward to seeing many enjoying the spring. But, like the top cop on the TV series Hill Street Blues used to warn his officers, "Be careful out there." KR Me? veHramc 7KAMPY HJeiL.1... MHffTPO YOUMGAN I STRUTTING I PONT PXEA HEAL7W GffifMAUEJN Remaining years of life at age 70 if selected causes of death were eliminated, by sex, 1996 Without cancer, stroke and heart disease Without cancer Without stroke Without heart disease Without all causes Secret: Hjyvwd Actv.

Expactancy ki the PcpuUtxx. of United Journal of Aging and At age 70, if one eliminated cancer, stroke and heart disease as causes of death, men and women would have, on average, 20 more years to live. SEN. SPENCER ABRAHAM Dlrkscn Ofllcc bids' Washington. LXC.20GIO (202122-1--1822 10.Michigan Ave.

N.W. Suite 720 Grajid Rapids. Ml 49303 SEN. CARL LEVIN REP. BART STUPAK Olllci; Dldi; 3 I 7 Olllcc Dldi; Washlnyton.

DC. 2O3lO D.C. 20310 (202122-4-6221 (202)223-1735 623 Ludlngton. Suite 200 1229 wa.ihlne.on Escanaha. Moj-qnelte.

Ml -43U35 (906) 780-0052 (9O6I 288-3700 i.