Edition: U.S. / Global

As Prisons Fill, Crime Diminishes

Published: March 9, 1999

To the Editor:

Re ''Less Crime, More Criminals'' (Week in Review, March 7): It seems the Government has its own addictions to worry about -- forfeiture income, military gear and social manipulation. Imagine all the money we could put into strengthening our schools and our children so they don't feel the need to even engage in drugs.

Only through compassion and understanding will we pull ourselves out of the downward spiral toward a police state that the drug war has led us.


San Francisco, March 7, 1999