WE SHOULD TREAT DRUG ADDICTION AS A MEDICAL PROBLEM

When, oh, when are lawmen, politicians and especially prosecutors
going to realize that drug addiction is a medical problem and not a
criminal problem?

The case of Daryl Strawberry is a typical one. Assistant State
Attorney Pam Bondi wants him in jail; he is a frail, sick man ridden
with cancer! What makes her think he is a threat to society? She said
he drives and he might kill or main someone. So have a close friend
see to it that he doesn't drive a vehicle.

I agree with Strawberry's attorney, Joseph Ficarrotta, that
Strawberry has violated parole many times: SO WHAT! He still needs
medical treatment, not hard time as some misguided (or political)
prosecutors want.

I am not saying all this because Daryl is a Yankee star but because
he typifies many drug addicts who need medical treatment, not jail
time. Our jails would be half empty if "they" would offer treatment
to all minor drug offenders!