Wednesday 4 March 2015

Minimal Consequences For Young Drug Offenders 4th March 2015

I heard on the radio today that the government are thinking of bringing in this new thing were young people found in possession of drugs aren't given cautions or anything that can go on their record as it's making it harder for them to find work later on.
How many levels is this wrong on? Let's see:
1. Define young
2. Why should companies take on people without all the facts?
3. It's hard for young people to find work anyway. What is being done to help young people without criminal records?
4. Isn't this essentially saying that it's ok to take drugs as there are minimal consequences?
I understand in theory that if these people find work, it's one less person on benefits, but this isn't creating jobs, merely more candidates for the existing ones, so it won't actually change the unemployment figures, it's just potentially a different person out of work.
I know young people make mistakes - in fact it's not just young people, anyone can make one bad decision and spend the rest of their lives regretting it. Having said that though, I still think that people are aware that drugs are illegal, so if they make the choice to take them, they are making the choice to take the risk.
A caution only stays on record for 6 years, less if the offender is a minor, so surely then, only repeat offenders stand to gain from this? Which suggests it's not just one slip of judgement. If this is genuinely a person who made a mistake while they were young and got caught up in the moment, or bowed to peer pressure, or just wanted to try it, then this one mistake won't haunt them forever and they have every chance of having a fulfilling career.
I think if this gets past the discussion stage and actually becomes the norm, drug abuse and relate crimes will sky rocket.
Feel free to comment :)

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