Pubdate: Fri, 04 May 2007
Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution (GA)
Copyright: 2007 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Contact: http://www.ajc.com/opinion/content/opinion/letters/sendletter.html
Website: http://www.accessatlanta.com/ajc/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/28
Author: Mike Flores
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v07/n549/a03.html?25943

JAILING DRUG ADDICTS IS UN-CHRISTIAN

Cynthia Tucker gets something right every once in a while, and this 
time it's her comment that "the drug war punishes indiscriminately 
locking up not only violent thugs but also many nonviolent drug offenders."

How is a "Christian" mentality congruent with locking people away 
from the light of day for drug use, which is and always has been a 
mental health problem? Rogue cops my foot --- we all look the other 
way and by doing so sanction this type of behavior. It is only when 
it reaches an outrageous proportion or an officer kicks in our 
neighbor's door at 2 a.m. and shoots them to death that we say "oh my!"

We all love to meet in church on Sundays, myself included, and listen 
to stories about love and forgiveness, then we go to the polls and 
support a law enforcement agenda that has nothing to do with either. 
We have become the Pharisees seeking to stone to death the woman 
caught in adultery. Please join me in a rousing rendition of "Onward 
Christian Soldiers" as our judges and law enforcers round up harmless 
drug offenders whose only "crime" is addiction.

MIKE FLORES, Grayson
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