Critics of the new policy claim that it will result in an increase in burglaries and robberies from addicts looking to buy more dope. Ray Hunt, vice-president of the Houston Police Officer's Union said that officers would look the other way because they don't want to spend the time to issue a Class C misdemeanor citation.
Mr. Hunt apparently is under the impression that a stint in jail will cure a drug addict and that he or she will return to the outside as a productive member of society.
Using Mr. Hunt's logic that locking up minor drug offenders because they might commit a theft or burglary, maybe we should lock up everyone who consumes alcohol because they might get behind the wheel drunk. Maybe we should lock up everyone who owns a gun because they might one day shoot someone. Maybe we should lock up everyone who is married or dating someone because they might commit an assault against a family member.
Maybe Mr. Hunt's opinion would change were he to consider the overtime bonanza that could result from patrol officers having to appear in municipal court -- just ask the traffic cops.
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