EXCHANGE WITH NEWS EDITOR – PRISON FOR METHADONE POSSESSION

From Nevada: The article prompting the exchange can be found by clicking here.

LTE: Re "Methadone tablet earns prison term" (June 2) - for someone dependent on heroin one methadone tablet can prevent withdrawal symptoms and craving - and multiple injections of heroin - for 24 hours. Strictly from the perspective of the community's self-interest, punishing this with a 2-1/2 year prison term seems just plain dumb. He should instead have been referred to a methadone maintenance clinic where his dependence could be treated.

EDITOR’S RESPONSE: I don't know about New York City, but there is a point here in Nevada at which someone who continually breaks the law deserves a time-out to think about it. Mr. Jenkins is lucky he only got 2 and a half years. While being in possession of a single methadone tablet might not seem like much, in fact it was something else he stole from someone else, who might have needed it. No matter what the charge, Mr. Jenkins went to prison because he is a thief. No one would have even known he had the tablet if he hadn't been shoplifting, again. I believe people can be rehabilitated, but I also believe that the worst thing that can happen to a person is a lack of consequences as a result of their actions. Thanks for writing, Kurt Hildebrand editor