Mandatory minimum sentencing laws

I just watched a movie that was based off of a true story. At the end, I found an alarming statement. It stated that the average sentence for a first time non-violent drug offender convicted under the federal mandatory minimum sentencing laws is now longer than the average sentence for rape, child molestation, bank robbery, and manslaughter.

I cannot believe this. I don’t see how this is fair or makes any sense.

My husband on the other hand, felt differently (he’s in law enforcement so perhaps it has something to do with that). He was trying to explain to me that drugs ruin entire communities and impact so many more people than the other crimes. He said that many times drugs cause many of these other crimes (rape, robbery, etc). And so because drugs have such a wider impact (more victims and more crimes involved), that’s why the penalties are so harsh.

What do you think? Are mandatory minimum sentencing laws fair?

* FYI: mandatory minimum sentence laws set minimum sentences for certain crimes that even judges cannot lower, regardless of the circumstances. The most common of these laws have to do with people possessing a controlled substance over a certain amount.