Oh, forgot to answer that part.
Last February, my sister's 26 year old son, Matthew, died of a heroin overdose. He'd been in and out of jail and boot camp three times. He was a smart and handsome boy. We all miss him terribly.
So, don't presume to lecture me about that.
All the drug laws in the world [or even New York State] couldn't make him stop taking drugs. If laws don't work, then why keep them on the books? As I said, open your eyes.
Laws aren't magic. I don't use drugs. If they were legal, I still wouldn't use them.
Though they are illegal, many still do use them. What's the point? Laws can only specify the punishment for breaking them. They cannot stop people from doing what they make illegal.
A few humble questions, if you would permit me.
If I’m not mistaken, it seems to me that you’re suggesting that criminal laws do not restrain activities that are deemed to be criminal offenses in the eyes of the law.
So I’m curious, do you think should we have criminal laws, or no criminal laws at all ?
If you do think we should have criminal laws, please explain why we should, i.e., what purpose do criminal laws serve ?