Pubdate: Thu, 3 Nov 2005
Source: Wisconsin State Journal (WI)
Copyright: 2005 Madison Newspapers, Inc.
Contact:  http://www.madison.com/wsj/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/506
Author: Fred Zenz
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v05/n1706/a06.html

DRUG SELLING CONSIDERED A CAREER

As background, I have been a teacher at the Prairie du Chien state
prison since 1997.

Sunday's State Journal editorial about black drug offenders has it
wrong. Addiction to drugs isn't the reason so many are incarcerated;
the majority are there for selling drugs, not using them. There is no
profit in using your supply yourself. They may be smoking a "blunt"
when apprehended, but most won't be using crack, meth or cocaine.

They do have an addiction to running the streets from an early age. A
surprising number have never had a legal job. Many will tell you flat
out, "Thug life forever!"

Many are illiterate and can't do simple math but believe they will be
better criminals when they get out. The number of young men with high
school diplomas but reading and math test scores under the sixth-grade
level is amazing.

They go into the drug and alcohol programs because they are
court-ordered to do so. Boot camps are just a way to get an early
release; look at the statistics of those returning after "graduating"
boot camp and being released.

The worst thing is that many of them are bright and personable, yet
are wasting the gifts they have been given. A young life is a terrible
thing to see wasted, no matter what color your skin is.

Fred Zenz, Prairie du Chien 
- ---
MAP posted-by: Richard Lake