Anonymous wrote:It's sad that drug addicts don't have better treatment options in our country. Jailing them does little or nothing in the service of their recovery.

This. I work with prison populations, and prison is the major mental health facility in the nation. There are few accessible, affordable, and effective treatment options in our society, so they end up in jail. By far, most have untreated or self-medicated mental health issues. I wish our society could/would commit to treatment and prevention so I'd be out of a job.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have a 25 year old cousin on my DH's side of the family. It was for dealing cocaine. He had a good childhood - really nice SAHM who breastfed him, successful professional Dad, lovely siblings, private schools. I don't know what went wrong, but we definitely think about him when raising our children.

It sounds like he was given a too perfect, happy life, where he wanted for nothing. He got bored and started taking risks to feel more alive. I really believe you shouldn't give your children too much early on. They really need to see what life is like for people who are struggling to survive. They need to learn compassion and empathy early.

Thank you for sharing. We have never before had such insight. Your sound advice will be given utmost consideration.

My sister and my cousin are both in prison. My sister for drugs and my cousin for a violent crime.

Anonymous wrote:It's sad that drug addicts don't have better treatment options in our country. Jailing them does little or nothing in the service of their recovery.

So true. And, once you have a criminal record, it's virtually impossible to get a job even when in treatment. It's a horrible cycle. I'm amazed when I hear a story of someone who is able to somehow get off drugs after decades of use and stay clean.

Anonymous wrote:We have a 25 year old cousin on my DH's side of the family. It was for dealing cocaine. He had a good childhood - really nice SAHM who breastfed him, successful professional Dad, lovely siblings, private schools. I don't know what went wrong, but we definitely think about him when raising our children.

It sounds like he was given a too perfect, happy life, where he wanted for nothing. He got bored and started taking risks to feel more alive. I really believe you shouldn't give your children too much early on. They really need to see what life is like for people who are struggling to survive. They need to learn compassion and empathy early.

It's sad that drug addicts don't have better treatment options in our country. Jailing them does little or nothing in the service of their recovery.

Anonymous wrote:We have a 25 year old cousin on my DH's side of the family. It was for dealing cocaine. He had a good childhood - really nice SAHM who breastfed him, successful professional Dad, lovely siblings, private schools. I don't know what went wrong, but we definitely think about him when raising our children.

I did not realize breastfed kids could end up in jail!

Ex-husband. A drug addict who has a history of a petty theft to support his habit and basic needs. I visited him once in person and that was enough for me. He's from a military family (his dad was an officer and mom a housewife) and was forced to join the army after high school to follow in his domineering father's footsteps. He wanted to go to college. When I first met him, I thought he was a lovely, misunderstood person with great potential. His drug addiction, inability to hold or even be hired for a job, and continued criminal activities killed the relationship. Counseling was useless as he was unwilling to give up or deal with his substance abuse issues.

He claimed that pot was his drug of choice, he was also using cocaine. Seemed addicted to pot, especially. Apparently, he started drinking hard liquor from the family's bar at 10 and using drugs at 12.

Heart breaking to see another human being totally trash their life.

We have a 25 year old cousin on my DH's side of the family. It was for dealing cocaine. He had a good childhood - really nice SAHM who breastfed him, successful professional Dad, lovely siblings, private schools. I don't know what went wrong, but we definitely think about him when raising our children.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, brother for selling pot. It's very hard. He's my pen -pal and I'm glad I have a toddler to tell him stories about b/c sometimes it's hard to write. He'll probably be in for 2 years (and this is his second time).

Twice for pot? You'd think he would have learned his lesson the first time.

Did anyone ask you for your opinion on the matter? No. Then MYOB>

My cousin on and off for drugs and related offenses. He started using when he was a young teen and now he is a thug. He's fathered 3 children (2 when he was a teenager and 1 on the way.) He has nearly killed his parents. He breaks into their house and they now have alarm systems and locks every where. They also alternate between being hopeful and helping him out to cutting him off. He's about 27 and it is horrible.

Anonymous wrote:Yes, brother for selling pot. It's very hard. He's my pen -pal and I'm glad I have a toddler to tell him stories about b/c sometimes it's hard to write. He'll probably be in for 2 years (and this is his second time).

Twice for pot? You'd think he would have learned his lesson the first time.

Yes, brother for selling pot. It's very hard. He's my pen -pal and I'm glad I have a toddler to tell him stories about b/c sometimes it's hard to write. He'll probably be in for 2 years (and this is his second time).

Father-in-law just got out. And he lost everything he had. It is kind of sad, but I figure I want to look forward now, not back. I'm just glad he is alive.

I have a relative who has been in jail for a short time. It's very weird and sad. I've never known anyone who went to jail and especially not in my family.