DRUG ABUSER IS GETTING OFF TOO LIGHTLY

Sir: I am responding to a couple of related articles that appeared
recently in The Observer "Drug addict abducts child, receives house
arrest for a year" and "Methamphetamine addict sent to jail."

These two articles are a prime example of how poorly our judicial system works.

A woman who had been in police custody at the Sarnia Jail since this
abduction took place on Dec. 22, 2006, was given "house arrest" and
ordered not to be in the presence of children for one year and not to
take any more methamphetamines.

The judge classes this as just a selfish act? C'mon!

A drug addict does not stop taking drugs just because they are told to.

This woman should remain incarcerated at the jail until a residential
rehabilitation is available.

House arrest does not ensure that her drug contacts do not supply her
habit by bringing them to her, nor does it ensure the safety of our children.

The parents of this abducted child were very lucky to get their child
safely returned, due to the quick-thinking of their babysitter.

I'm quite sure they would class the abduction of their child as much
more than just a selfish act.

Then the same judge gives the other drug addict a jail sentence,
saying that "methamphetamine abuse has contributed to many tragedies
in Sarnia-Lambton and surrounding communities. It has been
responsible for aggressive, desperate and irresponsible behaviour."

The judge also said, "there were risks imposed when under the
influence of drugs."

There is a growing problem with these types of drugs and these
incidents are just two of the many things that can, and do, happen.
Methamphetamine is a risk to public safety because the users can be
aggressive, paranoid and very unpredictable.

Thank goodness this child came home safely and the wife was not seriously hurt.

This two-for-one system doesn't seem to work as effectively as it
should either.

The accused knows right from the get-go that they will not spend
their full sentence in jail and most return to their same lifestyle
once released.

One judge, same drug, two different sentences. Why?

Is it any wonder that it's a growing problem?

T.L. Douglas

Corunna