OPINION:
Whenever a drug has killed over 70,00 people of all ages, laws need to be strengthened to punish the people spreading those drugs (“State fentanyl crackdowns called racist, ineffective,” web, July 25).
The view that this is somehow racist is the typical, irresponsible response from so-called progressive political groups. If anyone, regardless of race, chooses to sell or distribute fentanyl, that is their choice, and based on stricter state laws, they must face the consequences (including incarceration).
I recall living in the crack-cocaine era of the 1980s, when African American leaders were demanding detention. Does that make us the racists?
This country lacks either the will or the courage to invest in law enforcement efforts, such as improved border security and specialized mail-shipping services, to prevent these drugs and their ingredients from entering our country.
The entertainment industry, which has long glorified drugs, must face prosecution and stop being allowed to hide behind free-speech protections. If music, TV and movies continue their reckless spread of messages that disregard the catastrophic effects of drug use on families, the deaths will continue.
A recovering addict, I started using drugs for social acceptance — only to realize once I reached the addiction stage that I had made a grave mistake. So I had to choose to get help.
These stricter laws give judges the discretion of mandatory treatments because the majority of addicts do not choose the path I did; they do not seek treatment.
It was unfortunate to see so many African American men end up in prison in the crack era, but when crack hit, with high unemployment and a surge of unsupervised youth, everyone was caught off guard. It’s what we are witnessing today, and why the laws are behind the crisis need immediate revision.
Stricter prison penalties will make the dealer stop dealing. I know that most dealers cannot handle the thought of prison, which is why they are recruiting our youth to be street dealers.
There needs to be a price to pay, and making the responsible parties pay it gives us time to get the users some help.
GREG RALEIGH
Washington
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