Recently, Michael Vic, who plead guilty to involvement in dog fighting operation was ordered to undergo drug testing.  He failed.  Last year, a vibrant young woman in my hometown suffered a violent death because she sympathetically opened her door to a stranger.  The stranger happened to be coming down from his dose of crack (cocaine).

Obviously the victims of crime suffer the same loss whether or not the perpetrator was using drugs or not.  So to be fair there should be mandatory sentences for anyone who commits a violent crime.  On the other hand there are many who would argue that individuals suffering from addictions such as an alcoholic or drug addict should receive lighter sentencing because they are powerless over the drug.

I see both sides of the argument and offer a further insight.  I’m sure this will sound “Pollyannaish” to some but I do not believe a conscious person can commit an act of violence.  I think anyone who beats kills or rapes another person is disconnected and insane while the violence occurs.   
My belief is that we need to do more to insure children experience a loving, supportive world during their formative years.  How will we achieve this?  I do not know.  I know our prisons are full of people who wear masks because they do not know what it feels like to be nurtured and accepted.  I know there are other people who experienced the same lack of support in their early years and never resorted to violence.  Why?  Perhaps if we can answer these questions we’ll not only reduce prison population but addiction as well.  What is your opinion?