tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post113673047910792768..comments2024-03-25T20:06:39.794-05:00Comments on Grits for Breakfast: Grits' 2005 Top Ten Texas Drug War StoriesGritsforbreakfasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10152152869466958902noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-20168101323841479162007-05-09T08:37:00.000-05:002007-05-09T08:37:00.000-05:00I think the reason for Harris County detaining wha...I think the reason for Harris County detaining what would appear to be small time drug users or trafficker's is that they have the potential to get so much worse and be a public safety hazard. But there are not enough rehab programs that people can afford to send them to instead of the jail. <BR/>For example, my brother-age25 is on his 3rd DUI. (due to doctor ordered and legitimate injury related prescription pain drugs, which he is naturally addicted to now) Had he been detained longer the first time(90 days at least to clean his system out), given rapid detox meds, and mandatory sent to 6 months no cost inpatient rehab, he would not be there again today. Also, if he had access to healthcare he might not be in the jail now either, because he could have been treated for his injury instead of having to seek pain meds. But he does not so he, and people like him clog up the jail system. They cannot function responsibly outside the jail due to the impaired cognitaive function due to pain med overuse, the depresion that comes with trying to detox from it, and the constant urge to use again, but they don't really belong in jail, but there is no other place for them to go.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-1136892865668402482006-01-10T05:34:00.000-06:002006-01-10T05:34:00.000-06:00One of the problems of trying to count the 'butche...One of the problems of trying to count the 'butcher's bill' of the total costs of the DrugWar on society is simply that they are so vast and huge, covering nearly every sector of our economy, that it's impossible to measure it's total dimensions.<BR/><BR/>And that, of course, is just the <I>money</I> part. The costs in DrugWar-sired human misery are incalculable. <BR/><BR/>And one of those costs has been the effect that mandatory minimums have had. A cost that will very shortly become quite clear, <I>as many of those first unlucky souls who had the book thrown at them when the "man-min" madness began 20 years ago are due to be released from prison.</I> Released into an economy that has become <I>even more hostile</I> to former inmates than when they were first incarcerated thanks to increased competition for the remaining jobs left. <BR/><BR/>I expect the recidivism rates to begin skyrocketing in about 2 years as those who already have the 'black mark' of prison on their records - which in many cases is practically an economic death sentence as few would hire a 'con' to begin with - find that competition overwhelming.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-1136739763765088512006-01-08T11:02:00.000-06:002006-01-08T11:02:00.000-06:00I'd add the whole pseudoephedrine ban thing and th...I'd add the whole pseudoephedrine ban thing and the war on meth, but otherwise looks pretty good. Or actually, bad, but a good list!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com