GIVE DRUG CONVICTS HARD LABOR, NOT COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS

In an effort to patch up one problem with another, the Western
Washington University Associated Students governing board has decided
to award dope peddlers with scholarships instead of the 10 years hard
labor they deserve. The cited reason is that imprisonment costs
taxpayers more than $20,000 per inmate annually, whereas the monies
may be better spent on institutionalized pedagogy. By that reasoning,
we may consider incarcerating all college kids, instead of subsidizing
their education.

Heresy is suppressed by imbuing us with the erroneous belief that the
junkie, and not the common citizen who is occasionally subject to
rip-offs, robberies or home invasions, is the true victim. This is
reminiscent of the contrived cycles and epicycles that 16th-century
astronomers were forced to endure in an effort to comply with the
prevalent geocentric belief du jour.

The fact of the matter is, there is good reason why most recreational
drugs are illegal. Even the ones that are legal are often the cause of
accidents, poor health, unwanted pregnancies, irresponsible parenting
and general unhappiness.

If the people of the state of Washington demand proper education and
tax dollars well spent, it may be advisable to reinstate prison labor
camps specializing in repair jobs that are too costly in manpower for
state agencies or ordinary contractors. Ten years of hard discipline
and a sense of accomplishment will give convicts a chance to repay
their debts to society, and in turn will provide them with a far
better education than does a four-year dorm party.

Hiroshi Burnette

Bellingham