Shaming meth heads
Monday, January 9th, 2006Reason Hit & Run comments on plans in Tennessee to create an online database of meth arrests.
The main rationale for registering sex offenders, as opposed to other felons, is that they are especially likely to commit new crimes. As I’ve argued, there is little basis for that assumption, but at least the idea is to protect people (children in particular) from predatory criminals. The meth offender registry, by contrast, is simply “another tool to help fight the war on meth.” It cannot even be defended as a way to identify neighbors who are apt to set up potentially hazardous meth labs in their homes, since it includes people convicted merely of possession.
Peoria Police run a Website that lists the names, addresses and photos of people they nab for soliciting hookers.
I have to admit a grudging admiration for the PPD for doing that. The site does make it clear that these clowns are not guilty until they are convicted.
So what’s the difference between shaming a meth user and a john? Well, if you are meth-head, your friends and family already know it, probably. And nothing shames a meth-head.
A john, on the other hand, probably wants very, very much for his wife and kids to not find out he’s screwing sad women desperate for money to buy drugs.
