Many young men and women are incarcerated for petty crimes and
possession of small amounts of illegal drugs. I am assuming many of
these drug usages are due to peer pressure, curiosity, or an attempt to
escape some pain in their life. Each of these reasons may need a different
solution to help the individual remove themselves from the temptation of
returning to its usage.
Rehabilitation is one of the primary purposes of punishment; however, this
has a low success rate.[1]"In some instances, rehabilitation groups may
find drugs being handed off to one another, displacing the participant's
ability to stay clean and away from any substance. For an individual to
overcome this, the participants must be willing to remove themselves
from the temptation of both receiving and offering any drug and the
facilitator overseeing this possibility. Another aspect of this is the peer
pressure and temptation outside of the group and its environment.
Small amounts of drugs should not all be treated the same. The type of
drug in possession must be considered. Are the drugs intended for
personal use or the intent for sale?" What is the individual's age, and what
is their affiliation, if any, to organized crime? Other questions pertinent to
the situation will have to be examined.
If incarceration is opted for, where and what level of containment will they
be sent to?" How will this help the individual overcome their minor crime?
This may be a way for counseling and withdrawal of the drug from the
system to occur, yet peer pressure of a more accessible drug may rise."
These instances are known, and there are limitations that the authorities
can do to stop any and all drug use even within the system.
So, what is a possible solution?" A great possibility is for the individual to
explain why they are taking the drugs and the primary reasons that lead
to this, and guide, help, counsel them in choosing different alternatives.
This can be done through Christian teachings or secular options for those
not open to Christian teachings.[2]"Using this route, the individual has
private, counsel, and group methods available to them, each with its
benefits. This method can be adopted within each of the other usual
methods the judicial system has to offer. It is only when the individual
changes from within that their exterior choices will change.
Proverbs 18:24 is a key verse that can be used. “There is a friend that is
closer than a brother.”[3]"There must be accountability to another while
going through these processes. The possession may be small and
insignificant to many; however, the intent to use or sell is the main focus;
possession is a means of transport. If the individual can turn from the end
distribution early before it can compound, lives and communities can be
changed. If this can be done through effective Christian teaching and
fellowship, it can achieve the difference in the individual’s life where the
others fail. "
""""""""""""""[1]"Robertson McQuilkin and Paul Copan,"An Introduction to
Biblical Ethics: Walking in the Way of Wisdom(Downers Grove, IL: IVP
Academic, 2014), 441.
""""""""""""""[2]"Ibid., 442."
""""""""""""""[3]"Unless otherwise noted, all biblical passages referenced are in
the"King James Version.
