Pubdate: Tue, 03 Sep 2002
Source: Times-Union (IN)
Copyright: 2002 Times-Union
Contact:  http://www.timeswrsw.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1494
Author: Charles F. Robinson I

PENAL SYSTEM

Editor, Times-Union:

Does the government really want to help this recession and the American 
people? I understand they do but I personally feel they're going about it 
the wrong way. If they really want to help, then they should take a more 
scrutinized look into the penal system and the demoralization of drug 
addicted persons that fill this system.

The government needs to quit cutting what strengthens our country and that 
is: education, health care and family recreational centers. These help 
produce strong morals and ethics in our society. They need to start passing 
laws to help drug offenders get into treatment centers. By passing laws to 
help these people it will recede the vicious cycle of addiction instead of 
receding "The Budget." It roughly costs $28,000 a year to warehouse these 
people. Add that to the tens of thousands of people incarcerated because of 
a man-made substance and you'll come up with a very large figure. How much 
do you think treatment will cost?

Let's go a step further. If your pet was sick and you knew what was wrong 
with it, you wouldn't take it to an animal shelter to be warehoused, would 
you? I think not! You would take it to the veterinarian to get it some 
treatment! If you have that much compassion over an animal, why not have 
that much for a human?

Why do the courts/government keep sending these diseased, demoralized 
addicts to prison to be warehoused to tranquilize their addiction instead 
of sending them, "metaphorically speaking," to the veterinarian? Does the 
government really want to help the American people?

Actions shall speak louder than words.

Charles F. Robinson I

Winona Lake
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MAP posted-by: Beth