DON'T BLAME DRUGS

THE SENTENCING HEARING for Eartha R. Hodge, a 35-year-old Clovis, N.M.,
woman who committed violent acts during two robberies in March, brought to
mind a problem in our society that should be discussed more often than it is.

We are speaking of the unwillingness of people to accept responsibility.
Too many people want to shift the blame.

Ms. Hodge hit a female convenience store clerk with a hammer at least 13
times during one robbery and hit a male store employee with a fire
extinguisher during the other.

But she, along with several friends and family members, testified during a
sentencing hearing last week that drugs were to blame for her violent acts.
By that logic, everyone in this country who has a drug problem would go
around conking people with hammers and other dangerous objects.

We would not argue that drugs and alcohol bring out the worst in many
people, but they are not to blame for crimes. Decisions by criminals to
break the law are what is responsible for crime. The use of drugs and
alcohol are just other bad choices that some criminals make.

Ms. Hodge was sentenced to 23 years in prison for her choices to rob and
harm people. She deserved the sentence.