Pubdate: Sat, 20 Dec 2003
Source: Trinidad Express (Trinidad)
Copyright: 2003 Trinidad Express
Contact:  http://www.trinidadexpress.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1093
Author: M Francis

DO THE CRIME, SERVE THE TIME

THE EDITOR: I would like to comment on a letter (December 16) from L 
Ramesar (headlined "Jail too harsh for schoolboy").

First of all, a crime was committed, it was also committed by an adult, 
regardless of schoolboy or not. It does not matter the amount or the 
quantity of marijuana, the matter is "possession of marijuana".

The magistrate made it clear that the next student appearing before her 
would go "straight to jail", so why must this come as a shock to us. "You 
do the crime, you serve the time."

How could you state that "children are sent to jail for stupidness". If 
students act like adults they should be treated like adults when any crime 
is committed.

In situations like these, parents have failed their children-not society, 
"charity begins at home and it ends abroad". Where did this schoolboy 
purchase or obtain the marijuana? Don't blame the magistrate, blame the 
pusher for selling this illegal drug to a schoolboy. It will surely teach 
him a lesson-an example had to be made.

So Mr/Ms Ramesar, wake up!

M FRANCIS
Belmont
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart