STOP CRACKING DOWN ON DRUG ABUSERS, AND GO AFTER PUSHERS, DRUG MAKERS

I would like to hear the views of one or more Repository columnists,
local law enforcement, lawmakers and the public on our skewed system
of punishment for drug use, drug selling and drug making. I would
like the rationale for letting drug abusers rot in prison for five,
10 or 20 years, then letting them out to repeat-offend.

Why punish people who are addicted instead of helping them?

I am more concerned with those who sell and, worse, make drugs. Yet
we hear about arrests for possession far more than about arrests for
intent to sell or about drug labs being "busted."

I have come to the studied conclusion that 99.9 percent of drug
abusers simply need help and support. The real criminals are the
pushers and drug makers.

It seems the best law enforcement can come up with in its "war on
drugs" is to sweep the "debris" - users - off the streets, strut like
peacocks when they miraculously confiscate large quantities of drugs
(never more than a drop in the bucket) and scratch their heads and
change the subject when asked about drug manufacturers.

So many people I grew up with, went to school with, worked with, even
attended church with, became hooked on drugs. I am mortally offended
by local, state and federal governments categorizing these real,
thinking, feeling human beings as garbage that needs to be locked
away rather than helped.

It's time we, as a community, address this attitude of turning those
who need our help most into throwaways to assuage our fears, and
agree to order law enforcement and lawmakers to concentrate on drug makers.

If no drugs are being made, no drugs are being sold.

If no drugs are being sold, no drugs are being abused.

If no drugs are being abused - problem solved.

DAVID BROWN, SUGARCREEK