DRUG-USING CRIMINALS NEED TO BE ISOLATED FROM SOCIETY

Does anyone know who the pseudo officials were who appointed Judge Joel
August to 2nd Circuit Court? I can't believe what I am reading in the
newspaper.

He orders an ex-con to "stay away" from a parking lot (The Maui news, July
13). Lord help us. Maybe Judge August needs to get his priorities straight.
If he was ever a social worker, perhaps that is his forte because it sure
doesn't seem like he fits into the justice system too well. But as long as
he is a judge, then maybe he needs to study up on the dynamics of drug
addiction. We aren't living in Disneyland.

Unfortunately, there will be drugs and drug rings no matter what because
there are people like that in this world, and they won't change until they
themselves want to, usually after a rude awakening by "hitting bottom."

The judge saying "don't consume alcohol or illegal drugs" is making it very
easy for them not to change and gives addicts the message that the judge is
wimpy -- one of the worst things the judge could convey.

I am sure the defendant in this case loves his family dearly, but he won't
change if a judge just slaps his hand and tells him "no." The judge is being
a danger to society by doing this.

Ellen Garrison

Lahaina