[Saber Cherry]

Originally posted by Loser:
Secondly, you don't go to jail for being addicted to crack. You go to jail for doing stupid things, whether you are addicted or not. I'm guessing you've never been busted for possession, so you might not know that people only get busted when they're doing something else wrong. Random drug checks don't occur as you're walking down the street. If someone wants to keep their drug use secret, it's real easy.

You might want to look up the Dallas, Texas "fake crack" scandal. Here, I'll give you an excerpt:


"In January 2002, the FBI began investigating how paid confidential informants set up dozens of innocent people on charges involving drugs that later turned out to be gypsum or some other legal substance.

The fake drugs were allegedly planted on the victims in investigations run by Senior Cpl. Mark Delapaz and Officer Eddie Herrera.

Delapaz was fired in April after being charged with five counts of deprivation of rights under color of law and one count of making false statements to federal officials. Herrera remains on paid leave.

Drug charges against more than 80 people were later dismissed by the Dallas County District Attorney's Office."


Yes, lots of people went to jail for possession of gypsum (Calcium sulfate, a building material). I don't think they were high at the time. But yes, you're right that I've never been busted walking down the street. Unfortunately... black people have it a bit harder. I know blacks who have been pulled over and had their cars searched for drugs (and came up clean, because they're nice, normal, everyday people) just because they're black.

You're right that (in America) white people don't usually get imprisioned just for possession or use, but minorities do.

-Cherry

P.S. Better attribute my sources... http://www.nbc5i.com/news/2434012/detail.html

[ October 16, 2003, 18:04: Message edited by: Saber Cherry ]