Discussion Board 3
Historically, criminal activity has been viewed as an expression of a sinful nature and
the accountability for those actions fell on those individuals because of the choices
they have made. However, studies over the last century have shown that in some
cases, such as mental illness, the person is not necessarily responsible. Robertson
McQuilkin states, “The end result of the general acceptance of this approach was to
distinguish between criminals who were normal and thus responsible for their crime
and those who were abnormal and needed treatment, not punishment.”[1] However,
in light of the United States' battle with illegal drug use, the punishment does not
always seem to fit the crime.
f f f f f f f f f f f An increasing number of the country uses or has tried an illegal substance. In
2013, it was reported that “24.6 million Americans 12 or older (9.4% of the
population) had used an illicit drug in the past month.”[2] While illegal drug use
normally begins with peer pressure or curiosity, the effects of the drug can be
addicting leading to the user experiencing difficulties stopping the usage. In most
cases, the purpose of punishment for illegal drug use is to be a deterrent, McQuilkin
proclaims, “if sure and swift punishment is the greatest deterrent, our present
system can hardly be expected to deter.”[3] Yet, while the focus of the battle should
be on those providing the illegal drugs, those incarcerated for its use without proper
avenues for treatment do not seem to fit the rehabilitation purpose of punishment.
The reason, McQuilkin explains, is that “most Western governments have
abandoned such efforts.”[4] Though few incarcerated persons suffering from drug
addictions, the NIDA states, “Initiating drug abuse treatment in prison and continuing
it upon release is vital to both individual recovery and to public health and safety.”[5]
However, rehabilitation in the case of illegal drug use should be the first response of
the legal system with the goal to provide a path for the person to be a contributor to
society. Because once labeled as a criminal, the chances of that are slim. Michell
Alexander agrees, “Even when released from the system’s formal control, the stigma
of criminality lingers.”[6] Therefore, the Christian response should be to advocate for
such responses, especially for first or second offenses, in lieu of incarceration.
f f f f f f f f f f f Though the Christian should advocate for rehabilitation prior to incarceration,
Christians still have a responsibility in participating in the rehabilitation process
while incarcerated through sharing Christ. McQuilkin agrees, “the church and
individual Christians must do all within their power to promote the one thing that can
rehabilitate—regeneration.”[7] Like Prison Fellowship mentioned by McQuilkin, I have
served with the Kairos Prison Ministry creating friendships, sharing the gospel, and
the forgiveness that is found through Jesus Christ. It is a powerful ministry that has
not only impacted those incarcerated for illegal drugs but those who have
committed more heinous crimes such as rape and murder. I disagree with the
author when he states, “To say ‘you can’t legislate morality’ is false.”[8] Someone
once said, “The reason we have thousands of pages of laws today is that humanity
could not follow 10.” It is the power of a changed heart through Jesus Christ and the
work of the Holy Spirit that uncovers the morality of God’s image-bearer. As a result,
while many of these men may never see the other side of the fence, their
rehabilitated life provides them an opportunity to contribute to the cause of Christ
while inside. Therefore, while the Christian response includes the desire for justice
and the protection of the innocent, the church and the individual Christian must seek
out the lost sheep, going to where they are.
f f f f f f f f f f f f f [1] Robert McQuilkin and Paul Copan,
An Introduction to Biblical Ethics:
Walking in the Way of Wisdom,
(Downers Grove: IVP Academic, 2013), 429.
f f f f f f f f f f f f f [2] SA Content Team, “Illegal Drug Abuse: What is Illegal Drug Abuse?,”
Substance Abuse,
Jan 22, 2020. https://www.substanceabuse.com/drug-
addiction/illegal-drugs/ (Links to an external site.) Accessed April 29, 2021.
f f f f f f f f f f f f f [3] McQuilkin,
An Introduction,
432.
f f f f f f f f f f f f f [4] Ibid.
f f f f f f f f f f f f f [5] NIDA. "What role can the criminal justice system play in addressing drug
addiction?."
National Institute on Drug Abuse
, June 3, 2020,
https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/principles-drug-addiction-treatment-
research-based-guide-third-edition/frequently-asked-questions/what-role-can-
criminal-justice-system-play-in-addressing Accessed Apr. 29, 2021.
f f f f f f f f f f f f f [6] Michelle Alexander,
The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of
Colorblindness
, (The New Press, 2012), 141.
f f f f f f f f f f f [7] McQuilkin,
An Introduction,
441.
f f f f f f f f f f f [8] Ibid.,
431.
f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f
f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f
Bibliography
Michelle Alexander,
The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of
Colorblindness
, The New Press, 2012,
McQuilkin, Robert, and Paul Copan.
An Introduction to Biblical Ethics: Walking in the
Way of Wisdom.
Downers Grove: IVP Academic, 2013.
NIDA. "What role can the criminal justice system play in addressing drug addiction?."
National Institute on Drug Abuse
, June 3, 2020.
https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/principles-drug-addiction-treatment-
research-based-guide-third-edition/frequently-asked-questions/what-role-can-
criminal-justice-system-play-in-addressing Accessed Apr. 29, 2021.
SA Content Team, “Illegal Drug Abuse: What is Illegal Drug Abuse?,”
Substance
Abuse,
Jan 22, 2020. https://www.substanceabuse.com/drug-addiction/illegal-
drugs/ (Links to an external site.) Accessed April 29, 2021. f f f f f
