Pubdate: Thu, 22 Aug 2013
Source: Express-Times, The (PA)
Copyright: 2013 The Express-Times
Contact: http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/opinion/sendaletter/
Website: http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/expresstimes/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1489
Author: Richard Stevens

MISGUIDED DRUG WAR ROBS US OF OTHER SOCIETAL NEEDS

The Express-Times story on the 2012 Shippensburg University graduate
forced to find a first-grade teacher position in Virginia brought to
mind an admitted non-sequitur concerning zombie stories in movies and
TV ("Moving South in search of a career," Aug. 19.") Is there a
connection between a teacher having a hard time landing a job and the
crazed cultural projection depicted in films such as
"Zombieland?"

We have waged a felony drug war for 50 plus years and is it gnawing on
our collective wealth and future. Needless drug felony convictions
marginalizes prospects for many people, disrupts communities and
saddles the public with pricey punishment. Prison sentences for drug
offenders warrant sober cost analyses attached, especially with
sentences meted out in decades.

As a nation we're stuck in an incarceration frame of mind that diverts
resources from education. The Lehigh Valley is a case in point, with
fewer teacher openings and unceasing layoff announcements. Every time
we read about another lengthy drug felon conviction or the weekly
barrage of drug busts, the taxpayer may well flinch knowing these
could be harbingers of library staff layoffs, police layoffs, and
social services cuts in future budgets.

Maybe we can get prosecutors and law enforcement to think outside the
felony box. Maybe legislators will change their approach to what are
partially behavioral issues. Maybe judges will be allowed leeway in
sentencing non-violent offenders.

In any event, congratulations to Widmer for finding a teaching
job.

RICHARD STEVENS

Pohatcong Township
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MAP posted-by: Matt