Pubdate: Tue, 15 Jan 2013
Source: Wall Street Journal (US)
Copyright: 2013 Kerry Smith
Contact:  http://www.wsj.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/487
Author: Kerry Smith
Note: 3rd of 5 responses to OPED: 
http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v13/n013/a04.html

CAN DRUG LEGALIZATION END THE DESTRUCTION OF LIVES?

Recently I had occasion to observe the events in a county courtroom.
First, the accused were shuffled into the room, clad in orange
jumpsuits and leg irons and handcuffs. I expected rough characters,
but these prisoners looked like scared high-school students. One by
one they went before the judge. The charges were minor drug
possession, a baggie or joint often found during a traffic stop. The
judge read the charge, the prisoner pled guilty or no contest, the
judge rubber stamped a jail sentence, a hefty fine and a period of
probation and community service.

I was stunned. These young people's lives were being summarily torn
apart, with job and income loss, families disrupted and a criminal
record that would haunt them for the rest of their lives. And the
state was filling the prisons with naive first offenders whose "crime"
was as widespread as alcohol use. Prohibition didn't work, but we
never seem to learn from history.

Kerry Smith

Woodbury, Minn.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jo-D