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Mrs.Henderson and Mrs.Bennett are talking about the trial of a drug dealer which has been covered in the local paper. |
| Mrs.Henderson thinks anyone involved in drugs should get a harsh punishment. | Mrs.Bennett is NOT so sure. |
| Mrs H “I hope they LOCK him up for a good long time. Selling drugs is a NASTY business. And the same goes for those who BUY them. If there were no users, there’d be no-one to sell drugs to.” |
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| Mrs B “I’m not so sure. I think everyone has the RIGHT to do what they want with their own BODIES, as long as it doesn’t harm anyone else. I mean, people DRINK and SMOKE, knowing it’s doing them harm. But the law only comes into it if they do something bad to someone ELSE.” |
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| Mrs H “That’s rubbish that everyone has a right to abuse themselves. What they do affects other people. Anyway, drug users STEAL and they can get VIOLENT. We can’t just let people take whatever drugs they WANT. The law’s there to STOP that.” |
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| Mrs B “But look at Mrs.O ’Hare’s lad, Patrick. He’s a NICE boy, wouldn’t hurt a FLY. Last year he was up in court for possession of a little bit of cannabis. Now he’s got a CRIMINAL RECORD. Lost his job, too. NO,the police should go after the DEALERS, the big fish, and leave the users ALONE.” |
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| Mrs H “Well, that court business stopped young Patrick in his TRACKS. If you catch them EARLY and give them a FRIGHT, it stops them getting WORSE. Imagine if they let all the users get AWAY with it. In a couple of years the number of addicts would go UP and THEN where would we be?” |
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| Mrs B “I think a criminal record for USING drugs is too harsh. Most people GROW OUT of using drugs and settle down. Now he’s got problems getting a JOB and he’s got a criminal record for LIFE - all for one silly mistake. If anything, that might push him FURTHER into drugs.” |
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| Mrs H “What about this case in the PAPER, then? The man on trial said he was only selling drugs to feed his own habit. Is HE just a user TOO? How can you tell the DIFFERENCE?” |
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| Mrs B “The dealers who make HUGE profits, have fancy cars and big houses, they’re the REAL menace. The paper says this man was HOMELESS and selling small amounts to other users. HE’s not making big profits. I CAN ’T see that sending him to JAIL is going to solve ANYTHING.” |
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What do you think?
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