INJUSTICE SERVED

I read two articles in the Jan. 13 Winnipeg Sun that made my blood
boil -- Nothing to hug and Drug courier receives reprieve from judge,
both by Rochelle Squires. Although these two stories were completely
unrelated in circumstance, they share one common thread: injustice was
served in both cases.

The first story concerned the loss of a beloved daughter due to the
actions of a drunk driver. The story said that the young man behind
the wheel of the killing machine had a blood alcohol level more than
three times the legal limit. What happened to the tough stance that
Manitoba prides itself on concerning drunk drivers? This man deserves
jail time and nothing less. His actions were criminal even before he
took the life of that young woman. She's dead. He got a conditional
sentence.

The other article concerned a "drug runner" who, after being caught
with 15 ounces of crack cocaine, was given a conditional sentence. He
apparently said he was sorry. We are supposed to feel sorry for him
because he never got paid for being the courier of the drugs. The
court suggested that this individual was not a danger to society. That
remains to be seen. However, one thing is very clear. The substance
that he was in possession of is deadly, thereby making his actions a
"danger to society." Crack cocaine is a scourge on society. Those
addicted to this drug commit robbery and even murder in their need to
satisfy their bodies' craving. Those who pedal this drug and/or profit
by it are dealers of destruction and death. Addiction counselling is
not going to stop the supply.

Both subjects in these two news stories posed a very grave risk to
society by their actions. However, the consequences do not reflect
this in either court proceeding. What about the destroyed families
that their behaviour has left in their paths? Shouldn't the courts
place more weight on the overall picture and the deterrent factor,
rather than how the sentence is going to impact the person being sentenced?

The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the one. I think 8-Ball
Awards might be in the judges' futures.

Tim Slavin,

Winnipeg

(There's getting to be quite a waiting list for the 8-Ball treatment.)