I spent the night in jail last night. I am 61 years old, white, and a homeowner and taxpayer (albeit not always on time) and I spent the night in jail. That was the second time for me, the first being when I was fifty. For a brief period I was a cop in the 1960's. I have used many drugs in my lifetime.
I always said when I turned fifty I would get someplace quiet and reflective. The lights in that twenty four hour hell were very reflective, but it was not quiet. The screaming and shouting went on night and day. I ate food I would not give my dog.
My first offense? I went to a police sting to buy cocaine and was arrested for two felonys, even though I never even saw any cocaine. I was charged with Attempting to Purchase and a second count called Soliciting to Sell Cocaine. They had me on tape and the best I could do with a private lawyer was a year on probation, 100 hrs. community service and a fine. Felony adjudication was withheld, meaning my 'rights' were left intact.
Eleven years later, Friday the 27th of April, I was popped in another sting. You would think I would have learned from my first experience, but anyone that truly believes that does not know the power of drug use. The cops used fake crack for the sting, and brought down at least 25 people I saw. We were herded like cattle through the process. It was a most efficient way to make money for the cops here. This same weekend I found out at the booking that they were running a prostitution sting, taking advantage of those weak victims.
I was charged with soliciting sale of cocaine and tampering with the evidence because I swallowed their fake drug when they took me down.
Total bond? $8,500.00 I got out yesterday morning thanks to my wife of sixteen years and a bondsman. I cried all day, decompressing from this experience.
I am going to fight this all the way to the courthouse this time. I will not bend over again for the goddamn system this country has created. If they want to give a disabled man jail time for a twenty dollar fake rock of coke, then so be it. As was said above, if one lives outside the law they must be prepared to be responsible for themselves. Thanks for letting me vent, David et al.
Looking for the easiest way to join the anti-drug war movement? You've found it!
We are with you, Rhubarb...
We are with you, Rhubarb. Thanks for sharing your story here. I hope it inspires much activism by our readers.
David Borden, Executive Director
StoptheDrugWar.org: the Drug Reform Coordination Network
Washington, DC
http://stopthedrugwar.org
My story
Thank you David for the kind thoughts. I don't know if it will inspire another person to act, but I am standing up. I am joining LEAP using my real name. I crossposted this topic originally to them. Here is an addition I wrote there.
"Thanks for your comments, Rusty.
Funny thing, and I didn't mention it, but I am an ex cop. Back in the late sixties, I thought I would leave the ambulance business and go into law enforcement (I wanted to help people and I liked the lights and siren...) After about six months I was canned because I wouldn't write enough tickets and didn't like hurting people. I returned to EMS.
The reason I mentioned that is because of your comments about the system's attitude towards anyone arrested for drug use. I was mostly a law abiding citizen for all my life, never hurt anyone intentionally, and just wanted to be left alone after twenty some years as a paramedic. Now my neighbor, a deputy sheriff sergeant looks at me like I am a piece of crap. He wouldn't even acknowledge the friendly wave I gave him when I got home from jail yesterday.
I am not broke, but I don't have much money. I do have a voice. I will tell you this. I am going to stand up.
As much as I like computers, I fear their use by the government has pretty much removed the likelihood of a successful revolution today, but my intention is to work as an individual through organizations like DRCNet and here to fight this War Against the American Citizenry.
I'm not sure we agree with regard to the pigeonholing of pot as a so called "gateway drug".
Numerous studies dispute this 'common sense' label. I do believe people use harder drugs because they are not detected for so long a time.
I have a nephew who was a pot smoker and a coke user. Now he is a functional drunk because that drug is legal and the test goes negative rapidly.
Alcohol. King Drug. Affects every body system negatively. Taxed. Legal. Go figure, huh?"
David, I used my real name there. I am registered on DRCNet as Rhubarb because when I joined I wasn't sure of your confidentiality. Now I don't give a damn. I am going to fight for my beliefs.
Dale Kent
OMG - I so feel for you
Such horrid luck - perhaps many good luck incidents also that you don't mention (we tend to forget those "whew" moments, LOL), but still...
Have you read this?:
http://stopthedrugwar.org/chronicle-old/268/danburton.shtml
Honestly, the cash has to be going somewhere besides the normal marketing chain, no? Yes the smugglers and distributors and dealers make $$ but does anyone honestly believe this would go on as it has for so many decades if other pockets were not also filled???
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