Quote:
The savings in incarceration, prosecution, and interdiction costs would be enormous. While we should expect to spend a great deal in treating those with substance abuse problems, it would amount to a tiny fraction of what we now spend and could to some extent be offset by a system of fines for possession (e.g., $100/ gram [or part thereof] for cocaine, $200/ oz [or part therof] for marijuana, $20/ pill for MDMA, amphetamines, and barbituates, etc.)
If someone is caught using or possessing drugs, they get a ticket. If they pay their fine and don't get any more tickets for a year (at which point their slate gets wiped clean), end of story. If within a year of getting a ticket, they get another, the fine doubles and they must either attend AA or NA daily for a month, see a court approved counselor/ shrink weekly for six weeks, or enter into a resident treatment program (these last two at tax payer expense.) If within a year of the second offense the person is caught a third time, they must enter a residential treatment program (usually 30 days) and for a year thereafter are subject to random testing. If, during that year, they test positive for illicit substances, it's back to the treatment facility and then a year in jail, during which they get tested weekly. If during any one of these tests they test positive, their sentence starts over.
Committing a crime while under the influence gets treated as an aggravating, rather than a mitigating, circumstance and is punished more harshly. The overall message is that you won't be prosecuted for getting high, you'll be given plenty of chances to adjust your behavior, but not getting help when it's offered and harming threatening or endangering others, damaging, destroying or stealing property will be punished.
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LOL
THat is perfect Cincy... all these
law abiding drug users in your civilization will surely complete their "programs", pay their fines, and follow the law... just like they are doing right now. After all, why wouldn't they just follow the law,right?
What are you going to do with the people that CAN"T simply pay their fines ( b/c they are cracked up addicts with no job), can't pay their "double fines" for the 2nd offense, don't show up for counseling, and refuse to particpate in an intervention? You do realize that most of the people who actually end up in prison are very low income citizens in the first place right? How does the court get blood from a turnip with these wonderful little fines? What is next, a "time out" program? Maybe they should have to sit in the naughty chair? Where is that damn supernanny from TV when these drug dealers need her?
Your solution sounds like a great plan for the wealthy rich kids and those that have since grown up into wealthy rich adults with drug habits who can actually afford to pay the fines and attend treatments while missing work.
BTW- How many times have you been IN a prison and talked with these drug offenders? I don't think your plan is going to hit the target market....
not an attempted attack on you, just your plan.