Dear Editor,
Trafficking in narcotics is against the law but why does it only have to be enforced for some and not others? Why is it that the smaller woman/man always feels the brunt of the law for small quantities while offenders with huge quantities get off lightly if not being set free?
We are saddened by the fact that four young children especially a 22-day old baby, were torn away from the care of their mother, 24 year old Ocia Leung, because she was in possession of 4.3 grammes of cannabis (SN, January 27, p 14). As grassroots mothers and in many instances, single mothers, we know how hard it is to care for one child much less four or more in the face of the economic crisis which the majority of Guyanese (but not those at the top) are experiencing in our country. When it comes to survival, as poor mothers we will stop at nothing to ensure we and our children/family survive and we are therefore often forced into activities which might be unlawful (be it prostitution, shoplifting, drug trafficking to name a few,) in the process. It is unfortunate that many of our young people, especially mothers, find themselves in these situations.
We do not condone trafficking in narcotics but we condemn the judicial system for its unfair application of the law. Admitting that Ms Leung broke the law and should be punished, but given the circumstances, the ages of her children, the small quantity of the cannabis and the fact that she has never had problem with the law in this regard before, we believe that the penalty was harsh. A three-year sentence plus a $30,000 fine (three times the street value of the drug) is unreasonable. One would have thought that she would have been made to pay a fine and ordered to do community service like some other offenders. In October 2014, Shellon Hopkinson, aged 20, mother of one and four months and two weeks pregnant shared a similar fate when she was sentenced to 48 months imprisonment and a fine of $385,500 for trafficking drugs with a street value of $128,500. Again, another mother separated from her children.
While we accept that these women have to take responsibility for their actions, we urge that magistrates in executing judgment explore other sentencing options in special cases like these. Children being separated from their mothers, especially at such an early age, causes detachment between both parties; the children possibly becoming distressed and aggressive/rebellious; and in addition, possibly being exposed to all sorts of mistreatment/abuse. What a terrible grief is being inflicted on both this young mother and her young children. This is not justice.
Yours faithfully,
Joy Marcus
Joycelyn Bacchus
Wintress White
For Red Thread
