Pubdate: Sat, 28 May 2005
Source: Standard-Times (MA)
Copyright: 2005 The Standard-Times
Contact:  http://www.s-t.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/422
Author: Wayne Atkinson
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/prison.htm (Incarceration)

ENFORCEMENT OF TOUGH DRUG LAWS IS NEEDED

The drug situation is stigmatizing America's cities, both locally and 
nationally. The repeatedly asked question is how do we win the war on 
drugs? Education that leads to prevention is integral, especially when 
dealing with impressionable, young people. For parents, preventive lessons 
begin unequivocally under their own roofs. Clinics must also give addicts a 
chance to turn their wretched but hopefully salvageable lives around. With 
that said, however, the toughest laws enforced against drug trafficking and 
usage will prove to be the only way to quash this illegal, deadly blight on 
society.

In the violent wake of crime they incessantly leave behind them, drug 
dealers must be held fully accountable and severely punished. Mandatory 
drug sentences have to be strictly implemented and enforced. For how long 
do we let these criminal thugs continue to disgrace and destroy more 
streets, communities, towns and lives? If more prisons have to be 
constructed, then so be it.

For drug buyers and users who help support and finance this dirty business, 
it might be time for a "three strikes and you're out" approach. Less than 
two arrests and convictions should lead to treatment, but any ensuing drug 
offense results in mandatory incarceration. This is highly unlikely though 
if not impossible. Our judicial system does more bargaining than a native 
street vendor. How about coercing illegal drug consumers to visit the 
family of a law enforcement officer killed fighting the drug war or a 
family who has lost an innocent, young child through some drug-related 
drive-by shooting. Let them see for themselves that their tainted money is 
paid back in bloodshed and murder.

WAYNE ATKINSON

Fairhaven
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