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Charles Amos's avatar

Of course, many people are going to argue these individuals are addicted. I would question this idea of addiction strongly. Are these people really physically compelled to steal bikes, and, in so doing, plan the theft, hide the bikes, avoid the victims, etc., by the drug, in order to acquire it, I doubt it. Only consider all the addicts who do not do this to see these thieves have free will. Hence, I would argue for the rigorous treatment you propose. Sometimes tough love is best.

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DavesNotHere's avatar

Yes, it’s not clear why addiction would be a reason for reducing penalties.

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forumposter123@protonmail.com's avatar

Are any legal penalties reduced because of addiction?

I’m unaware of any laws that say you can steal only if you’re an addict.

The issue is that we let people steal.

Enforcement against stealing simply becomes more difficult as the number of criminals increases and our tools for deterrence have limited effect.

Drug addiction predictably increases criminal behavior and also leaves one with fewer effective options for deterrence. Addicts have little self control and little to lose.

Let us all remember that we had a national freak out because George Floyd, a drug addict who was high at the time, would not comply with police officers trying to arrest him for a crime.

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Stephen Grossman's avatar

Legalize all drugs to protect individual rights. Abolish public schools to protect the mind from govt.

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