Pubdate: Tue, 09 Oct 2007
Source: Goldsboro News-Argus (NC)
Copyright: 2007 Goldsboro News-Argus
Contact:  http://www.newsargus.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/969
Author: Renee Carey, Editor

STOMPING DRUGS: TOUGH, NOT WEAK -- INSISTENT, NOT JUST COMPASSIONATE

One of the most striking facts about the drug enforcement business is 
how it just never seems to get better. No matter how many violators 
local law enforcement officers seem to arrest, there are always a 
couple dozen more just waiting in the wings.

So, one would sort of understand if those who risk their lives every 
day to put away these criminals might get more than a little 
discouraged when they see them get off later in court -- or right 
back in jail after only a few months. We can show thousands of 
commercials citing the dangers of drug use. We can show thousands of 
stories about families destroyed by addiction. We can continue to add 
services to take care of the children who are born to drug-addicted parents.

Those steps might save a few, but if we really want to address the 
issue head-on, we have to have something more powerful, more of a 
stick. In a word, consequences.

Jails are clogged with drug offenders -- usually on low-level 
charges. The big-time dealers, they get away much of the time. They 
are smarter, on average, and know how to use the system.

Putting drug dealers out of business takes a concerted effort to make 
doing business more difficult. And that effort starts in every 
neighborhood in this county. If neighbors are not afraid to stand up 
and say no, and to turn in those who are breaking the law, the 
message gets out -- move. And then it is government's turn. More 
money put into enforcement as well as stiffer mandatory sentences for 
the worst offenders will reinforce the message -- as will strict 
penalties for those who transport drugs into this country in any 
shape or form -- the first time.

It won't happen in a day, but ridding this community of the scourge 
of drugs will take determination and a really big stick. They have to 
know we mean it.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman