10/02/2015

Attention fellow citizens,

I am writing to you on behalf of oblivious fellow citizens that don't fully understand the concept
of how highly U.S prisons population have increased over the past 20 years. It has came to my
attention that many are unaware of how much effect this has on our country. I would like to
touch a more specific topic, rates and punishments on drug charges. Substance Abuse and Mental
Health Services Administration, Results from the 2013 National Survey on Drug Use and Health
have stated, " In 2013, an estimated 4.5 million adults aged 18 or older were on probation at
some time during the past year. More than one quarter (31.4 percent) were current illicit drug
users, with 23.5 percent reporting current use of marijuana and 12.3 percent reporting current
nonmedical use of psychotherapeutic drugs. These rates were higher than those reported by
adults who were not on probation during the past year." That puts to show how marijuana is the
leading drug most people use. They refer this as a gateway drug. Why? Abusers of marijuana
eventually build a tolerance and get tired of the same "high". Therefore they start looking for
something stronger and eventually come across prescribed pills, coke, meth, etc,.
Now there are 23 states that have legalized the use of medical marijuana, making 4 of them legal
for recreational use. Have you ever stopped to think about how if you were in Texas and you get
caught or pulled over with a gram or less you will be going to county jail and get charged with
possession. Possession charges can really bring difficulties to your succeeding future. That bring
me to my main point, U.S prisons are crowded. There isn't enough room for all these criminals.
Is having an addiction or using drugs a real crime that should ruin the rest of your life? Who are
you hurting besides yourself? Would you agree with the fact that the government should spend
their time and focus on real criminals that are affecting us, U.S citizens? For example, man
slaughter, domestic violence, gang violence, drunk driving. I strongly believe that if they were to
change the way they would punish inmates with drug charges it would make a change. How to
safely reduce prison populations and support people returning to their communities,"
(Washington, Justice Policy Institute DC: June 2010), p. 8. Stated that, approximately 16
percent of people in state prison and 18 percent of people in federal prison reported committing
their crimes to obtain money for drugs. Treatment delivered in the community is one of the most
cost-effective ways to prevent such crimes and costs approximately $20,000 less than
incarceration per person per year. That just puts to show that if there was help out there for these
criminals the government would save money and not only that but get better results, as far as
helping these drug abusers. I am more than sure not many are aware that the U.S has the highest
prison population in the world. Researchers Justice Policy Institute, "Substance Abuse Treatment
and Public Safety," (Washington, DC: January 2008), p.1. have mentioned that "The United
States leads the world in the number of people incarcerated in federal and state correctional
facilities. There are currently more than 2 million people in American prisons or jails.
Approximately one-quarter of those people held in U.S. prisons or jails have been convicted of a
drug offense. The United States incarcerates more people for drug offenses than any other

country. With an estimated 6.8 million Americans struggling with drug abuse or dependence, the
growth of the prison population continues to be driven largely by incarceration for drug
offenses." I am here today giving you all fellow citizens a closer look on how high drug charges
are in America.
Sincerely,
Vianey Cervantes