BLAME KIDS, NOT DISTRICT ATTORNEY

To the Editor of THE EAGLE:

In regard to Laurie Sawin's letter of March 11 ("Give kids, families
their lives back"), it is amazing to me how Ms. Sawin's version of
the drug deals that took place in Great Barrington differs so
dramatically from that of the district attorney's office.

Ms. Sawin tries to downplay the role of these teenagers as if their
offense was as minor as stealing a candy bar from the local
convenience store. I believe that, according to the records in some
of these cases, scales were used to measure the drugs before the drug
deals were made. Use of scales to measure out drugs for a drug deal
is something that serious drug dealers do, not something done by a
"first time" petty marijuana seller. Just because they have only been
caught selling drugs one time does not mean it is the first time they
have ever sold drugs.

These kids knew exactly what they were doing and they got caught. And
now they are crying for sympathy from the public. How dare they. If
we just slap them on the wrist like their parents want, what is next?
Do we do the same for the first-time driver who gets stopped for
driving under the influence who is just the tiniest bit over the
legal limit? Why not, they're not a real drunk. They were only just a
little drunk.

To blame the D.A. for the turmoil that this has caused these families
is utterly ridiculous! These kids and their families are responsible
for their own actions. You can't blame the D.A. for upholding the law
just because it directly affects your family in a way that you don't
like. This is going to haunt them for the rest of their lives. Too
bad. It should. Maybe this will be a wake-up call for all the other
"petty" marijuana sellers out there.

Ms. Sawin can spin this any way she wants, but the bottom line is
that they broke the law, were caught in the act and now must face the
consequences.