First-time, non-violent drug offenders serve longer than for rape, child molestation, manslaughter

[duhneece]

5. How thoughtless of me!

Then, too, are the agencies like DEA, and even my local law enforcement that gets extra dollars for drug cases...it helps them justify their HIDTA (High Intensity Drug Trafficing Area...for places like southern New Mexico) grants. And the idea of treating addiction as a public health issue instead of just a law enforcement one is just too 'soft' of me. Since many addicts, we now know, are self-medicating from PTSD or sexual assault or Adverse Childhood Experiences, it would be too easy to demand treatment instead of incarceration. Where would we be if we took that 'easy' way out and moved toward restorative justice instead of punitive justice?