cantfigureitout

Fri, Nov 27, 2009 : 12:16 p.m.

20 + 4 = 24 years in prison. The kid is 20 years old. It's quite interesting that Michigan has some of the toughest laws in the country on drugs. It's also interesting the Michigan spends more money on the penal system and locking up drug users than they do on state education. Michigan prisons are filled with drug cases. Over and over. Does this tell anyone anything? It isn't working. When a young man makes a mistake do we take away his life and surround him with criminals? I know it is a serious offense... but the law is NOT working and the sentences are exorbitant. You know it and I know it. Where is the education? Wouldn't it be better to work with rehabilitating and educating because the latter would be more effective and cost less. Part of the problem now is that the burden of the penal system from the lack of education has made education even less available! The interesting thing is that it is often less of a penalized crime to kill someone than it is to be in possession of narcotics. When did narcotics become more valuable than life? Yes.. 2 wrongs don't make a right but we can make things right if we make changes. Zero tolerance does not work. There must be tolerance and education. Now... repeat offenders are a different story. So why are we burdening the state and the country by locking up our people when they make a mistake? Especially without any attempt at rehab or education? It is interesting when an industrialized world leader such as the USA has 3rd world incarceration. Michigan has some of the toughest drug laws that aren't working and our straining our state! You know the saying, "What are you on drugs?" What does that mean? It means you aren't thinking right and your behaviors are off. Well drugs users are obviously on drugs and NOT thinking right. These are not non drug users pushing and selling as a business (small quantity busts). These are young people ON drugs and not thinking right. They need help and they need it now. I don't know how judges, prosecutors and state legislators can live with themselves when they know there are better options that will work. Since when did we become so uncaring and accepting of what has become a total injustice and abuse of our society? Imprisoning young first time offenders and taking away their lives for 20+ years is a death sentence. We need to wake up so we can save our youth and our state and our society. Contact your local representative today! Tell them you disagree with them and we want change!