Pubdate: Fri, 19 Apr 2002
Source: Florida Today (FL)
Copyright: 2002 Florida Today
Contact: http://www.floridatoday.com/forms/services/letters.htm
Website: http://www.flatoday.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/532
Author: David McKinney
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v02/n000/a034.html
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)

NOT ALL DRUG USERS HURT PEOPLE

Recent letter-writer Claire Mirolsky urged a tougher stance on drug users 
and pushers because they hurt people.

I think it would be more appropriate to say, "Be harder on drug users and 
pushers who hurt people." It would be even better to say, "Be harder on 
people who hurt people."

People on drugs are not always held accountable for their actions, other 
than being on drugs. Too often, criminals escape the justice system because 
they were on drugs at the time of the crime. This should not be allowed to 
happen.

However, drug users and pushers who do not hurt people have no more 
business being in jail than people who just had a couple of beers and were 
arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or driving with a 
suspended license.

I agree with Mirolsky's assertion that there should be an identifiable 
victim before jailing someone.

I disagree with her prejudice against all people who use and sell drugs -- 
and by "drugs" here, she and I mean only those controlled by the federal 
government.

Not all people in this category do harm to others.

David McKinney, Miami
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