Drugs and Prison

 Re "Medical Neglect, Abuse Lie in Wait for State's Women Prisoners," Oct. 27: The drug war is now incarcerating bit players and users in record numbers for long mandatory minimum sentences voted by our ever-tough politicians. We say it is to "help" them, but Amnesty International has us on the list of nations that torture political prisoners with such conditions.

Drug prohibition sends these nonviolent "offenders" to death and degradation in the name of "sending a message" to the children. What message are we really sending about force and the power of the majority to legislate morality and to viciously wipe out a dissenting and helpless minority?

 JIM ROSENFIELD
 Culver City