Friday, I had my yearly check-up with my cancer/kidney surgeon in Columbus. All is well for another year.
However, just as Stacy and I were walking into the lobby of his office my cell phone rings; it was an unusual call.
It was Representative Mark Romanchuk's office.
I met Mark a few years back while working a football game at Lexington High School before I retired. Mark was making his initial foray into politics and was out meeting people as part of his campaign. He and I chatted for a few minutes and I found Mark to be a pretty affable, friendly guy; he got my vote that year, and has every election since.
A few weeks ago I emailed Rep. Romanchuk's office about the growing heroin overdose problem we are facing, expressing my frustration over heroin traffickers receiving probation on a first conviction even though they may have knowingly/unknowingly caused a death which law enforcement couldn't charge them with. People die because of this drug, mainly because in recent years its been 'cut' with other, more potent drugs. A user can lose his/her life the very first time they ingest heroin, and traffickers getting mere probation on a first offense is unacceptable.
First offenders can get prison time if there are enhancing qualifications, such as selling within a thousand feet of a school zone, in the presence of juveniles, selling bulk amounts or possessing a firearm during the transaction; many times this is the case but most offenses are not. Along with the email I included the post I wrote about attacking the traffickers with harsher sentences.
I couldn't stay on the phone long last Friday, but I did call back yesterday and spoke to his legislative aide, Beth Florence. I learned that Mark is currently formulating legislation to address the issue of heroin trafficking and enhancing penalties for trafficking convictions, which pleased me greatly; he also scheduled a meeting with me in a few weeks to explain the framework of proposed legislation.
Being personally affected by opiate abuse has made me passionate on this issue; I am not a Great Crusader on too many things but this is one of them. If you, too, feel strongly about opiate addiction and stronger sentencing guidelines for convicted traffickers, I urge you to contact your legislators and express your concerns and views.
I'd also like to say that my beliefs are not an indictment of our judges, probation or judicial systems; most of those involved are very good at what they do in spite of the difficulties they face; I just want them to have a sharper sword with which to dispense justice through our legal process.
