Can this happen in Dodge?

[candidate]

We wouldn't have to have local registries of criminals if they were in prison were they should be. Yeah, the prisons are full (because we won't get off of our asses and put the killers out of our misery), not a whole lot of fear of comitting a crime when you can get such relaxed sentences. The best thing you can do to protect your family is to know where your family members are and who they're with. Also, let them know this world is dangerous and there are some really bad people out there.

[TexKan]

Bein from Texas I couldn't agree more.....

[K C Muffin]

Not in Texas myself, but also couldn't agree more. Had a close family member mixed up in selling/taking drugs. My first take was that the court wasn't being fair when he was sentenced. Then I learned that tough love was the only answer. He's a great kid, but wasn't going to get out of that mess voluntarily. If we don't throw the book at them the first time, they tend to think they're above the law. I don't hardly think so. Stop 'em dead in their tracks.

[Made in the USA]

I am addicted to coffee and sex (not necessarily in that order), and I don't wanna go to "rehab"! You put me in there, and when I get out I am grabbin' some the first chance I get! Sorry Poots, but I don't condone anything about illegal drugs. They screw up lots of lives, as I am sure that you are familiar.

[pootsy]

I don't think your understanding me entirely. I don't codone selling or cooking drugs either! I am not saying to feel sorry for them, I am not saying to coddle them and let them get away with what they did. I am saying everyone deserves a second chance to straighten their lives out and I feel rehab is the way! Yes prison can be too, but Tex, Prison IS NOT Rehab, two different things entirely. Recovery and just quitting drugs is also two different things entirely. Addiction is the word here people. It started out partying with buddies on the weekends, than it just got worse from there, than before you know it it controls your life. Than to support your habit your selling it, than making it, ect...OK Now you can't quit, your life is ****ed and family hates you, no money, no job, no life. Hmmm let's just send this ass to prison and everything will be fine?? HAHA! Look say you started partying at the age of 16, your now 35 and your in trouble. Do you know any other way to live? No because you have been getting high all your damn life! Look people, I hate to tell you but they are already in prison! Drugs is their prison.

It's funny to see some of you say...Oh they should just stop doing it. Um ok, look at it this way, Are you all smokers? Drink coffee? Hey why don't I just take your cigarettes away or your damn coffee! You can just quit! How do you feel about that? Let's see ya do it, than get back to me and tell me how did it work out for you? hahaha!! Are you seeing what I am saying? It's like that with drugs with some people!!!! It's that damn hard to quit!!!! Some people can do it, some can't. Even if you just quit, you could have the same thinking and behaviors that come with addiction, and that within itself needs some changing as well. So if you just quit and you have the same thinking and behaviors, that is where the term dry drunk comes in. Just like them going to prison, hey all fine and dandy, but they are just quitting(abstinence) and being institutionalised. They are not learning to change their thinking or their behaviors, so they get out and what happens? I'll tell you what happens, they go back. Hey I am not saying that it isn't like that with rehab either, but with rehab the seed is planted, whether they use the tools they learn is entirely up to them, all the counselors and their peers do is to show them the way. Some people that go to rehab are forced to go, however with some time they sometimes wake the hell up, and say WOW!! Believe me I have seen it many times. Have you ever seen the movie 28 days? Watch it, it makes alot of sense.

Ok I cannot control how you all feel about this situation, but I can plant a seed and maybe you can look at the way I just summarised it in this post. There is so much more I want to say but I do not have the time. If you want to hear more than Go to rehab LOL! I believe everyone needs to educate themselves on this a little more before you be so judgmental.

thank you for your time!

[Made in the USA]

Everybody is just giving their opinion, Poots. That doesn't mean we don't respect yours. As I said, addiction to anything is rough.

[TexKan]

I'm addicted to Dodge board!!

Poots I know what you are saying - honest I do - I don't think a first time offender ever goes to prison - the system doesn't work that way. Rehab is indeed prison - so some - others have to go to prison to realize they would rather be in rehab. Others only do rehab in prison - yes they do have AA meetings and drug rehab there. Hell they have that in county lock up if you are there long enough.

We (and I'm speaking for AOO and me) are not stupid nor are we heartless - far from it. If you are makin meth - you are gonna get popped harder than if you are in possession of meth someone else made. That's the way the system works. Bottom line you are responsible for you - no one will ever convice either of us differently. At least not me I think AOO is on this train with me.

I know this is a personal thing for you and I admire your ability to suceed and better yourself. Just realize we all have demons and that's why we think like we do. Criminals (yes even with the addiction if you break the law that's what you are) don't deserve more than a few free rides to rehab - after that you deserve a ride on the chain. You are not responsible enough to go to rehab and live within the society. There fore the society does the decideng for you. There are plenty of alcoholics on the street and plenty of druggies as well - so long as you stay within societies boundaries then do what you want to yourself - cross those lines tho and you deserve the consequences - not a ride to Betty Ford - again.

[Army_of_One]

I'm not against Rehab but if someone in your friends or family circle intervenes or you turn yourself in for rehab that's fine but if the SWAT team kicks in your door and finds the meth you've been cooking and selling to God knows who and f**king up other people's lives besides your.....have all the rehab you want but in my opinion you do the time for the crime...(which isn't enough time in KS). Since YOU seem to be a leading authority on REHAB I want to know how many people that REHAB from Meth are successful...what is the success rate and how many go back to making/using/selling? I know a lot of them end up back in prison.....I agree, addiction sucks, I think everyone has some type of addiction whether it be something as simple as the DB Arcade or Meth. Addcition is a sickness..BUT if you hurt others or break the law due to your sickness you do NOT get a BYE...you pay the piper. SOMEONE has to be held accountable for that persons conduct...after all, like in your story, that person CHOSE the lifestyle they lead....
ON another note, while coffee and cigs are addictive (I use neither) they are not illegal nor do they destroy live's like Meth can. You have mixed apples with oranges again.

[pootsy]

Army Alcohol is legal as well, and you yourself said, if someone is drinking and driving and ends up killing someone they should go to prison. Does alcohol being legal justify that? No it does not. Gambling, shopping, sex, ect...can all be addictive, anything can be addictive!!!! Oh, and Army, the American government gave meth in care packages to their soldiers in the vietnam war and WW 2 I believe, to keep them awake in combat. Some of those people in those wars are now ADDICTED to meth no thanks to the American Government, some are recovering addicts, some are not, Look it up, you will find it. I did a report on it.

I know that recovery worked for me, and that gives me faith that it can work for anybody. If the odds are 1 and 10, at least 1 person out there is leading a better life. I have heard so many different numbers but I know a few people who are doing quite well now, some aren't.

[Army_of_One]

Originally Posted by pootsy

Army Alcohol is legal as well, and you yourself said, if someone is drinking and driving and ends up killing someone they should go to prison. Does alcohol being legal justify that? No it does not. Gambling, shopping, sex, ect...can all be addictive, anything can be addictive!!!! Oh, and Army, the American government gave meth in care packages to their soldiers in the vietnam war and WW 2 I believe, to keep them awake in combat. Some of those people in those wars are now ADDICTED to meth no thanks to the American Government, some are recovering addicts, some are not, Look it up, you will find it. I did a report on it.

I know that recovery worked for me, and that gives me faith that it can work for anybody. If the odds are 1 and 10, at least 1 person out there is leading a better life. I have heard so many different numbers but I know a few people who are doing quite well now, some aren't.

The Army also used to set of nuclear blasts and let soldiers watch to measure the effects...lol. So? Again apples and oranges. I'm very glad that recovery worked for you. 1 out of 10 is recovered according to you...which is good...but what about the other 9 still peddling meth to kids and destroying other live's? More rehab???? I'm sure there are a few that are doing well....but...but but...Again we have a difference in opinion and that is fine....I believe in punishment for hurting others and you believe in rehab. It's all good!