DRUG USERS: Need treatment, attorneys

While going through the court system here in Kootenai County, I have run into more than one brick wall. First I truly believe it is guilty until proven innocent. Second, good luck trying to get fair and adequate legal representation who are not overworked and underpaid.

Yes, I mean the public defenders. I have to say they must have the least enjoyable job. So why is it impossible to find an attorney willing to help the low to middle income individual? We do work hard, pay taxes, bleed, sweat, and cry too.

Why are the jails and prisons overflowing? Most of us are addicts in need of treatment! So why not put more money into building more inpatient-outpatient facilities? Are we really guilty of a crime? Or are we sick and in need of a doctor, not a warden? So why are we put through the courts?

I am talking about the ones who use drugs, not the makers of the drugs or the dealers who profit from us - who are more than likely self-medicating due to some sort of mental illness. That is also a whole new can of worms for society. Doctor or warden?

Okay, back to my original issue – the lack of attorneys who are willing to help us. Who will take a chance on some of us? I would be more than willing to make payments for the rest of my life to someone willing to help me return to my healthy and normal life. I relapsed after four years clean – that’s my crime. Is that really a reason to go to prison for life? Anyone?

Like I said I would love to make payments for the rest of my life, rather than cost you the taxpayers for the rest of my life. Where is the common sense in that?

CHERIE YEARSLEY

Post Falls