Boy jailed for trafficking drugs

Ray Gatt

Nov 26th 2008, 10:39

Lock him up by all means in the youth section, make him pay a fine too, but he will also need professional help. Are we prepared for such cases? As for alcohol, cigarettes and drugs (any drugs), I would ban them all if possible. None of them help.

Colin Jones

Nov 26th 2008, 10:20

May I ask the queston to all that try to compare illegal drugs with tobacco and alcohol. How many smokers and drinkers turn to prostitution, mugging and burglary to feed their habit. In the UK of all the prostitutes ,95% of them are on the streets because they need the money for their next drug fix .
Gun and knife crimes are 75% drug related. I do not think there are any tobacco or alcohol turf wars.
Drugs create crime. Rid society of these evil people now now with harsher sentences.

Denis Catania

Nov 24th 2008, 18:48

The kid is only 16. Don't just throw him away to the system. I think 6 mos is a good wake up call for him. He NEEDS help, while locked up. Society must do whatever it takes to put this kid in the right direction. It might be cheaper in the long run.

G McDowell

Nov 24th 2008, 18:02

Oh here are some people that have died of alcohol poisoning

http://www.google.com/search?q=%22died+of+alcohol+poisoning%22

And how can people forget Oliver Reed who died in this very country due to Alcohol.

G McDowell

Nov 24th 2008, 17:58

"I never heard of no one dying of an overdose of alcohol ..."

You are kidding me surely? Never heard of alcohol poisoning? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alcohol_poisoning

My point is in this country we seem to lump less harmful drugs such as Ecstacy and Cannabis into the same group as Cocaine and Heroin.

Alcohol in particular does have as harmfull long term effect on the brain as cannabis ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long-term_effects_of_alcohol ) and as for tobacco, well it just kills you.

G.Cappitta

Nov 24th 2008, 17:36

A Saliba
As I said previously, I have no doubt that they are dangerous. However, one has to look at the spectrum hands on in order to get a proper idea of the real effects of these substances - not by looking at such reports, even when one considers the professionalism taken into account when producing such reports. Talk to the chain smoker and talk to the drug addict, and only then one can determine which substance has the worst effects.

A. Saliba

Nov 24th 2008, 17:06

@Johann Mifsud

So a drug that can kill someone in the long-term is fine, but a drug that can kill someone instantly is bad, even if the figures of the former exceed by a substantial amount those of the latter? And nevertheless, there have indeed been cases of alcohol poisoning leading to death. It is also theoretically possible to die of nicotine overdose by combing cigarettes and nicotine patches and/or nicotine gum. And it's legal.

@G.Cappitta

"You doubt" that alcohol and tobacco have the same long-term and devasting as other illegal drugs? This is scientific research we are talkng about and not opinions and guesses.

Here's a table that shows how harmful drugs are, according to the same study cited by G McDowell:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Rational_scale_to_assess_the_harm_of_drugs_(mean_physical_harm_and_mean_dependence).svg

G.Cappitta

Nov 24th 2008, 16:38

G McDowell,
I'm not trying to ridicule the experts and I do understand the dangers caused by smoking and alcohol, but I doubt that these have the same long term and devastating effects on the brain as ecstasy and marijuana have.

JC Mifsud

Nov 24th 2008, 15:55

I never heard of no one dying of an overdose of alcohol or tobacco, but I heard of people dying of an overdose of ecstasy. Officially we've had two deaths in Malta of ecstasy. So which is the worst? I know people die of tobacco and alcohol but not from an overdose, that's the difference between ecstasy, alcohol and tobacco.

G McDowell

Nov 24th 2008, 15:13

Joseph M.Aquilina
"I beg to differ, as would also those families who lost a dear member due to abuse."
do you even know what Ecstasy is?
"The Lancet in March 2007, found that alcohol and tobacco, which are legal in Britain and the United States, are considered by experts to be more dangerous than ecstasy and marijuana, which are illegal in both countries."
http://health.howstuffworks.com/drug-ranking.htm

But I don't expect the police, judges and public to take that into consideration.

Joe Morana

Nov 24th 2008, 15:08

And why not make the sentences harsh enough to fit the crime as a means of deterrance? Drug trafficking a victimless crime? If this statement did not have a tragic ring to it, it would be funny! The answer is zero tolerance! "In circumstances denoting they were not for his personal use.....", what a joke! Drugs, 'for personal use' can still be shared and/or sold.

Jane Bartolo

Nov 24th 2008, 14:36

VICTIMLESS?

VICTIMLESS?????

Society is the victim for drug abuse!!! One victim is more than enough to punish (or ideally eliminate) abuse. But then of course there are those people who would justify one of the most family breaking habits in existence.

Herbert Guillaumier

Nov 24th 2008, 14:31

I agree with Mr Zammit. Yes. six months jail and 300 Euros fine is not enough!

A. Saliba

Nov 24th 2008, 14:29

Mr. Aquilina, many deaths are directly caused by tobacco or alcohol addiction, as well as misuse of prescription drugs, but would it be justified to treat the local liquor store owner or pharmacist as a criminal?

Joseph M.Aquilina

Nov 24th 2008, 14:11

@A.Saliba

....let alone something victimless like drug use.........

I beg to differ, as would also those families who lost a dear member due to abuse.

edward bartolo

Nov 24th 2008, 13:59

@Johann Mifsud:

That only means I was right, obviously, because somebody else did it before. Thanks for the feedback.

A. Saliba

Nov 24th 2008, 13:45

I cannot understand how some people still believe that harsher sentences act as a deterrent. Even if a death sentence were imposed, people would still do drugs. Nothing will ever change that.

A good example of how harsh sentences do not prevent people from commiting even the most heinous of crimes (let alone something victimless like drug use), is the death penalty in the US employed in cases involving murder - despite the death penality, the country still has a higher homicide rate than Europe.

JC Mifsud

Nov 24th 2008, 13:43

Mr Bartolo just to let you know that there is a section called YOURS which is only for youths of the age of this person arraigned. Therefor there is no excuse. He will not be with older prisoners as you stated.

edward bartolo

Nov 24th 2008, 13:14

I would like to ask: Is the prison the best place for a 16 year old youth? Living with older prisoners, will only morally deteriorate what remains of the character of this youth!

I suggest the authorities, to create a separate section in the prison for very young prisoners, to prevent them from mixing with older prisoners who may corrupt them even further!

Ramon Zammit

Nov 24th 2008, 13:01

6 months? 300 euros fine? Not good enough I am afraid. This sentence should have been more harsh in my opinion, his age is no excuse and a tougher lesson should be given to serve as a deterrent to whoever engages in these illegal activities.