Dear Editor,
I was disappointed to read Mr Robson’s letter in last week’s Newton News. There are times of course, when hearing the news of vicious attacks and the immoral acts of certain individuals, we all fill with anger.
Many times I have allowed myself to imagine ‘an eye for an eye.’ It is the mark of a crude politician who seizes upon these extreme views and uses them to form public policy.
Mr Robson’s remarks are very removed from the truth – a truth, I think, more of the public will be aware of than those who would welcome back public executions and Saxon-esque public humiliation.
Drug addiction is an illness. Those of us who see it, work with it and try to combat it are aware of the damage it causes to communities and individuals – it must be tackled. However, every single jot of evidence, including the government’s own research (which it chooses to ignore) tells us we must find a medical solution. We are talking about human beings for goodness sake; people who have found themselves in dire circumstances and need our help.
Mr Hogg is to be congratulated on being the first ‘politician’ with the self-surety to act upon the evidence given to us, and in practice across the world, to support efforts to move away from seeing drug addicts as criminals, instead recognising they are vulnerable individuals crying out for support.
On crime more generally, I would point Mr Robson towards Islamic State. These people with their wicked ideology agree with him wholeheartedly! Those who steal have their hands removed, whilst those who speak out against the regime may have their tongue removed. As we’re all aware, they are unafraid to follow his ideas on public executions.
Personally, I am proud to live in a country where everyone is given a second chance – we’ve all needed one. A prison system should be there to keep locked away those who will not cease to hurt us, but support, educate and inspire the rest to realise that life has so much to offer them. They are lucky to live in one of the richest countries in the world with opportunity abound and kind-hearted, generous communities, who will always give them another chance.
P Davies
Hawkshead Place