Pubdate: Tue, 25 Aug 2015
Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution (GA)
Copyright: 2015 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Contact:  http://www.ajc.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/28
Author: Larry Newsome

ADDICTS, DEALERS ARE NOT THE VICTIMS

I read with interest the article entitled "Rethinking lifetime prison
sentences" (News, Aug. 23). The article is written as if the prisoners
were the victims. The dealers did not pull the trigger that killed the
addicts but, indirectly, they are responsible for their death. Maybe
not a physical death, but one that robs them of their productive life.

Eventually, the user will depend on the state and/or their family for
their every physical need. The user chose to ingest the drugs and they
should bear some of the burden. Many of the users finally figure it
out, make a recovery, and become productive. I doubt this is true for
dealers; the life is easy, the money is good, no taxes to pay, no up
early and off to a real job. I believe the majority of the dealers did
not intend to become a dealer, but in order to support their habit
they began dealing.

LARRY NEWSOME, FAYETTEVILLE
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MAP posted-by: Matt