It is clear you have had neither a sibling, parent or child who is hopelessly addicted and their lives destroyed along with their families. Yes, maybe we should decriminalize but also be aware of the havoc addiction causes. I am also sorry for the girl, very. But not because she was arrested per se, we as adults, have to face the consequences of our actions, as did so many brave activists during the apartheid era who had to sit out jail sentences because of their passion for doing the right thing. I assume she was indeed making a responsible, adult choice when using cocaine? If you believe she did, then petition for her release wherever you can. Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device
-----Original Message----- From: Trevor Hughes <[email protected]> Sender: [email protected] Date: Fri, 23 Sep 2011 10:12:00 To: <[email protected]> Reply-To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [obsnw] Drug arrest I just cannot understand the sense of satisfaction at the arrest of a 26 year old female cocaine user. What good has this done Observatory specifically and society in general. Apart from causing more work for the police and courts, possible needless financial hardship for the arrestee and her family and having all sorts of further implications should this go to court and she is found guilty of a offense. Was this 26 year old female a threat to society because she had 1gr of cocaine in her possession? What if this was your daughter/sister/wife/friend? Would you be so pleased at this arrest? What if the substance had been a cannabis joint? Would you still be so pleased? Do you smoke cannabis? Do you do other drugs? Does your child, spouse, wife, neighbour, dentist or doctor? Do you know anyone who does drugs? Would you be happy to see them arrested? This arrest is complete waste of time and financial resources that could be better spent policing actual crime. Yes holding drugs is a crime - does not make it morally wrong. Remember apartheid? This young woman (could be your daughter/sister/wife) is now being used a measure of success in the fight against crime? Nonsense! Legalize all drugs now! Read up on the success this has had in Portugal over the last ten years. Arresting users serves no useful purpose and to gloat about it or praise it even less. Think about it - why should the government have any right to tell you what you can an cannot consume. Prohibition is a failure. Always has been. Always will be. It all makes so little sense when you consider that nicotine and alcohol are freely available and condoned and encouraged - try going to a party and social gathering and be caught with an alcoholic beverage in your hand. Peace out and enjoy your drugs of choice safely. (even if they are the horrid alcohol and nicotine!) Trev -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "The Observatory Neighbourhood watch" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/obsnw?hl=en. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "The Observatory Neighbourhood watch" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/obsnw?hl=en.
