Although it was officially titled the Omnibus Drug Initiative Act, the 375- page bill that came up for debate in the House last week seemed more like all-purpose aid to electioneering, an irresistible chance to prepare for the coming campaign by taking a get-tough stand against dope dealers. The legislators swiftly tacked on six amendments, including one to provide the death penalty for certain drug-related crimes and another to permit the use of illegally obtained evidence in drug trials. The House also packed into the measure an array of harsh sanctions against drug abusers. All that was too much for Democratic...
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