Pubdate: Thu, 09 Nov 2006 Source: North Island Gazette (CN BC) Copyright: 2006 North Island Gazette Contact: http://www.northislandgazette.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2783 Author: Len Bleaney FATHER DIDN'T SEEK JAIL Dear editor, Clarification needed. After reading the article First time drug dealer given probation, I feel it is necessary to clarify the fact that no where in my letter to the honourable judge presiding did I say "Save my daughter by sending her to jail." I asked the judge "to consider, that drugs such as cocaine, crack, crystal meth, etc. are destroying many of our young people." "Without significant deterrence, this problem will only get worse" and in my opinion "anything short of jail time, and or mandatory custodial rehab will not help stop the problems". A fine is just a cost of doing business, (and in this case, a small one at that) and actually only exacerbates the problem, as more drugs will be sold to make the money to pay the fines, for without proper gainful employment, where else can it come from? I asked that the judge "deal with this, as needs to be" in the hopes he would consider giving my daughter a hard choice, of perhaps up to 6 months of mandatory custodial rehab verses a significantly longer jail term as I had discussed with the federal prosecutor, forcing her to make a life changing choice. Obviously, naive wishful thinking on the part of a broken-hearted father. Len Bleaney, Port Hardy - --- MAP posted-by: Derek