Why is it that America is filling its prisons with people for drug crimes. Why are they not helping these people and rehabilitate,and reforming the drug laws. Is It easier to just lock them up nice,and neat? Or do they just make to much money off of "The war on drugs"? If we as tax payers are supporting the upkeep of prisoners shouldnt we have a say in whom we inprison? Honestly you do more time for getting caught with a bag of dope than for killing someone. Or so it seams. Does anyone even care? Im just tired of seeing young people thrown into prison for a problem that belongs to this entire country,and not just to them. To many lives and families ruined,and just locking people up only makes it worse. It only treates the symptoms,It dosn't cure the disease. What do you think?
2006-12-28 15:43:55 · 11 answers · asked by Amber Jo 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Other - Politics & Government
Its very easy to say,commit the crime do the time. It just seems though,that now we are paying for the upkeep of another inmate. Not to mention his spouse,and children who find them selves relying on welfare. How many families are we the taxpayers now supporting so the addict can go take a time out for 10 years or more? He will still be an addict probley doing more drugs in prison than on the street,and he will still come back into society unrehabillitated. Even if we do make our own choices,we cant control the choices of others. Personally, I dont know of any kids who would choose to lose their parents to drugs,but it happens. To say that this isnt a problem of our general society is ignorant. To many people are affected not just the drug addict. I really dont see a solution do you?
2006-12-28 19:13:54 · update #1
about 70% of people in jail are for drugs or drug related crimes.
There is another 15% for alchohol and related crimes!
2006-12-28 15:47:35 · answer #1 · answered by Anarchy99 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We still live in a democracy.
If you feel that strongly about your statements, then you should try and get the law(s) changed or reformed. Start a petition and get it on the ballot for a general election - I suspect that getting signatures will be difficult, and the outcome will not be what you want.
I agree that some of the convictions for minor possession are totally out of whack. You are correct that far too many lives and families are indeed ruined - unfortunately for your cause, far less are ruined due to imprisonment than due to the drug habit itself.
I disagree, however, that the problem belongs to the entire country. We all make choices, some of them simply aren't very bright ones.
I personally choose to not use illegal drugs.
2006-12-29 00:14:32 · answer #2 · answered by LeAnne 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If any society throws someone in prison for a problem that is so pervasive as drug addiction then there is an obligation to rehabilitate as well as punish. Jailing a convicted possessor or user of drugs is stupid especially if the sentence will be served and the person eventually released and there are no serious attempts to solve the problems associated with the addiction. Punishment without rehabilitation is a recipe for disaster.
2006-12-29 13:54:27 · answer #3 · answered by kennyj 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Well technically they are helping them rehabilitate by putting them in jail. Cold-turkey is a way of quitting. How do they make money from the "War on Drugs"? The government isn't the one selling drugs.
Im proud of you for noticing it is a problem though. What would you do to correct this problem. Throwing people in jail seems logical to me. A drug dealer faces certain risk just like any business venture... on one hand he can make alot of money and the on the other hand he might go to jail. Until the punishment outweighs the reward there will be a drug problem. And the ones being thrown in jail are the problem. I'm not the problem... which is why im not in jail.
2006-12-29 02:10:57 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
If we all know what it takes to do right by our society, then why do so many try so hard to do whats not healthy for society.
If you can't handle the heat, stay out of the kitchen.
Are you willing to open up your home to those you feel need a break? Can you cure their diseases?
You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink.
2006-12-29 00:12:52 · answer #5 · answered by no hook 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
politicians vote for harsh penalties for drugs dealers to simply appease voters.
the "war" on drugs is a complete farce. I remember one day I was looking at the charts in Combat to see the areas that other naval ships where covering, there was a clear cut path that was not being covered from south America right to Florida.
the US Government also had a deal with Pablo Escobar back in the the 80's where they allowed him to import "x" amount of cocaine.
2006-12-29 00:10:41 · answer #6 · answered by lv_consultant 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
tell me more about theses drug crimes? Did they just get caught with a joint, or was there more than that? Did they commit other crimes while high on drugs? Every case is different, what about guys that are caught with 25 lbs of pot? 400 lbs? LSD? Meth? Crack or Cocaine? Heroine?
2006-12-29 00:03:15 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
government mentality is such that every facet of your program has to expand.
the war on drugs helps law enforcement expand, prosecute rs expand and the prisons expand. the government agencies have too much to lose by allowing intelligent thought about drugs and rehab enter into the picture.
rehab would take away expansion or give the "deserved growth" to, gasp. another agency.
excuse me why do you expect government to act intelligently? government does what it damn well pleases, occasionally slapped down by the courts.
re look at the picture thru the eyes i just gave yo0u and much makes sense out of the bull that we are fed.
sorry to be a bummer, but reality becons.
2006-12-28 23:58:15 · answer #8 · answered by elmo o 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Like all government solutions, they pass all these feel good laws to appease the masses, but again like all government programs, it's an industry that finances itself, so you are not going to get them to drop any drug laws soon becuase too many people in the law profession make their money from it.
2006-12-29 00:27:05 · answer #9 · answered by government slave 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Agree--why should the government have a right to tell us what types of drugs we are allowed to ingest into our own bodies? Why should Big Pharmacuetical be allowed to poison us with unreliable drugs legally? Why is alchohol allowed, and other--less dangerous drug use not permitted?
2006-12-29 00:21:06 · answer #10 · answered by scottyurb 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋