General   (General discussion, talk about anything.)

I agree, Lisa.

Bassman - "drink ,snort or whatever, they do it of their own free will.What puzzles me is 'why?'. There is more than enough information and education.."

I think there are a number of reasons, including curiosity, rebellion, peer pressure, recklessness of youth, bravado, + an individual's predisposition to addictions ...

(People still start smoking even though there are dire stark warnings on the packets: 'cigarettes kill'.)

In the early days, while 'experimenting', I think a potential addict will not believe any of the deterents, no matter how tough, will apply to them. They might dabble with drugs for some time feeling in control of their habit (for recreation etc) and see it as harmless then suddenly be in the grips of a powerful addiction as Lisa described. By this stage, all threats of deterents will have no effect as the drugs have become omnipotent. As you say, the impact on an addict's family is devastating.

I take your point that a person's addiction to drugs can drive them to commit acts that are 'subhuman'.

I do think and care about the victims of heinous crimes.
No matter what 'punishment' the perpetrator is given, it cannot undo the harm done.

It is of utmost importance that the offender is removed from society, so that they can't re-offend.
Also that they are given the optimum treatment which breaks their drug addiction (which was the root cause of their crime) and a better chance of leaving an institution without going straight back to their old ways.
Given how powerful drug addiction is, I realistically believe a recovering/ex-addict has to make an extra-human effort, with support and positive lifestyle alternatives to maintain a 'clean' life.

We have to address our 'alcohol' and drugs cultures, recognise serious addictions as illnesses, and find the best ways to eradicate hard drugs from our society. Unfortunately, we are a long way off that.

The human rights act is grossly mis-used and I think the legal professionals who facilitate this are as much to blame as the the people they represent.

I'm happy to agree to disagree.

From what I have read on the Prison Reform Trust's website, I support much of their aims. I have to admit, I do not know enough about the prison system myself to make up my own mind as to the best ways for progress, but the research and views they present seem plausible and not merely the approach of 'do-gooders'.
I think, ideally, to put their aims into practice would 'do good' for everyone, not just the people who commit crimes.