Drug Crime Sentences

In his opposition to tough punishments for drug felons (“A Whole Community Faces a Life Sentence of Neglect,” Op-Ed Page, Dec. 19), Prof. Halford H. Fairchild, like many of his sheltered colleagues in academia, perpetuates the insulting fiction that poor people, especially poor African Americans, are forced in their despair to a life of crime and drugs.

Fortunately, a majority of Americans, including those at the bottom of the socioeconomic ladder, think differently and are willing to incarcerate, if not execute, those who would addict children to their wares.

Poverty is a profound, intractable social problem that should be addressed even were there no criminals. Equally important is the justly vigorous prosecution of criminal laws meant to protect us all, regardless of social station. The rectitude of a convict’s sentence should be based on his crime, not his background.

JOSEPH D. PHILLIPS

C. DIANE PHILLIPS

Glendale