And what exactly is a "non-violent drug offender"?
Not LOL
Non-violent.
The scum sucking maggots who got caught cooking up and / or selling Meth Or...
Anyobody operating a meth lab is placing their neighbors in danger of toxic fumes and/or explosions. They deserve to be locked up.
A Crack Dealer who got busted selling his life destroying crap in a 'buy sting'.
Consensual act. Many liquor store owners are just as guilty of "destroying lives" with this argument.
Or.... A PUSHER who got caught selling Heroin to Jr High School kids?
Hyperbole. Heroin use by Jr. High School kids is very rare --as is all drug use in that age group. At any rate, if someone is busted selling drugs to children, I wouldn't cry if they were locked up.
Or.... The 'mule' that got busted with 10 Kilos of Heroin who just couldn't wait to get his shit fast enough to the 'boss' and then the PUSHER and the Jr High Kids?
Again, hyperbole. These folks make up but a fraction of drug offenders in prison. The majority behind bars are sent away for mere possesion. Often an "intent to sell" is tacked on because they possessed a certain amount above what is considered "personal use" regardless if they ever sold anything to anyone at all.
For sure, there are some drug offenders who deserve to be locked up. But there are many who pose no threat to society.