Pubdate: Sun, 29 Sep 2013
Source: Times, The (Malta)
Copyright: 2013 Allied Newspapers Limited
Contact:  http://www.timesofmalta.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2310
Author: Mark Alamango
Page: 25

DRUG POLICY SHOULD BE BASED ON REFORM

I feel a big injustice has been committed against my good friend and
co-worker.

Seven years ago he was a heroin addict when he was charged with heroin
possession and sentenced to a few months in prison. During his time in
prison his addiction got worst and after serving his sentence and
being released in 2008 he was caught again with possession of four
grams of heroin.

Since then he has turned his life around and he has been clean for
four years.

Besides being a good friend I am his manager in a restaurant. He is
one of my best workers, a great person and always helps others.

After five years of going to court and back for what happened in 2008,
he has been sentenced to serve 18 months in prison and to pay a =C2=801,5
00
fine.

Right now he is out on appeal. But all that he has accomplished in
five years may now be taken away from him. How can this be fair? After
changing his life for the better he may be returning to an environment
where he can relapse. Basically, it would ruin his life.

I am going to do my best to keep his job for him, but at the end of
the day I'm not the owner, I just manage the place.

We need to change the drug policy. How many more people like Daniel
Holmes are being given harsh prison sentences? All over Europe and the
US drug policies are becoming less harsh and more lenient, and the aim
is to reform people, not punish them.

Mark Alamango, Naxxar
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MAP posted-by: Matt