Hillbilly Druggies (Beckley, Princeton, Hinton: real estate, home, work)

[laysayfair]

Originally Posted by italianbluesboy

I was born and raised and still live in southern WV, and believe me when I say it has become the Land of Hillbilly Junkies. Several of my co-workers have been fired because they failed a drug test. My dad said he dreaded giving random drug testing where he worked because he knew he was going to lose his best employees. I heard of one coal mine around the Kanawha Valley where drug testing resulted in the firing of one-third of the work force. A guy who works across from the methadone clinic in Beaver told me that there is at least one car every 30 to 60 seconds in and out of that place. I know of a business in Hinton where the drug addicted employee stole a 10,000 dollar camera and pawned it for 150 dollars so that employee could buy drugs. For the last several nights people have come to the business where I work to cut the catalytic converters off of our fleet of vehicles to sell for scrap. One of our employees said how people in Boone County cut the utility poles down with chain saws to get the wire to sell for scrap. Last year someone went in a coal mine in Fayette County to steal wire and got trapped. Some of my relatives in WV have succumbed to drug addiction. My step sister in Beckley and cousin in Huntington have been confronted in parking lots for money. Drug dealers in Detroit call Huntington "Moneyton" because it is so profitable to them. And everyone knows that Ocenana is "Oxyana", where my co-worker told me that she went to five funerals from drug overdoses in one year. And the law enforcement in Southern WV is so hapless to stop this crime wave. I see the Raleigh County deputies trying to catch speeders, but what are they doing to clamp down on the rampant petty crime that funds a drug addicted epidemic? What is the WV government doing to make scrap dealers accountable for the role they play in this crime wave? And as for what am I doing to make the situation better - well I never used any illegal drugs, work an honest job and pay taxes, and am raising our child drug free in an honest Christian home. Which is more than I can say for some of my fellow West Virginians. I have talked to people in other states about visiting WV as a tourist, and I have told them, "Stay away. It's not safe any more."

Gosh, I'm so sorry. That sounds awful. My dad lived in Harlem New York during the 60-70's when the whole place was being consumed by heroin. The Denzel Washington movie, "American Gangster" is based on this time. He said it was awful to just watch a place coming apart around you. That's why I've never used any drugs. The way thet destroy people and places just appalls me. I wish you could move away from there. I'm afraid it will get worse before it gets better.

[x1x]

Originally Posted by BJC

If the woman is not carrying a purse, they know that the purse is in the car under a coat or in the trunk. So they know which cars to target while the people are inside eating. Unbelievable.

I do that all the TIME. Guess I will stop it today!!

I'm not so sure it's a good idea to carry a purse either because they can run past you and snatch it from you, This has happen to many, and I knew some that this happen to... So now they keep a empty one in the car and carry that when they go into stores or etc. This way all the druggies get is Nothing!!!!!! Just what they deserve!!!!!!!.

[Hinton Bound]

Wow, where to begin...

If there is to be drug testing as a condition of employment, will that include alcohol as well? What if they're abusing prescription (legal) drugs? What an adult does in their off time should be their business. Should they arrive at work, still under the influence (of either)- fire them on the spot. Much cheaper to the employer. Should an otherwise decent employee be fired because he goes to the bar and gets drunk drunk on Friday night, and tests positive for alcohol on Monday? What if he goes home and smokes pot, or takes percocet? So long as he's ready to work in the manner he's being paid to, I don't see any reason to inject my personal morality into his life.

Why do cops chase speeders and other traffic offenders and not real criminals? Because speeders will almost always pay their fines (Read: raise the revenue). The druggie caught stealing to support his habit will only cost them money. He won't pay his fines (most of the time), and will require expensive incarceration and costly drug treatment (Read deplete the revenue). It's much easier to sit on the side of the road and run a radar than to walk a beat in a neighborhood with high crime.

As for druggies, or any other criminal staking out potential victims... Criminals want an easy (soft) target. They want to get $$ with little effort or risk of capture/injury- that's why they do surveillance. My wife and I both open carry side arms. 99.9% of criminals will not see my wife or I as an easy target. If one is stoned enough to do so, he will soon find himself not in need of drug money, but a well trained paramedic and an ambulance. As I've said before... When seconds matter, the police are only minutes away.

I do not think the answer lies in MORE government intervention (school drug testing, DARE programs...). The answer lies in GOOD PARENTING. If we as a society would stop pawning our responsibilities as parents and responsible citizens to the government, we'd be far better off. Everyone whispers about so-and-so's kid who's into drugs or crime, but we don't, or won't, make a personal effort to grab the kid and let him know can do better with his life, or grab the parent(s) and tell them to get off their ass*s and pay attention to their kids activities. I would expect that in the small communities that make WV what it is, everyone knows just about everyone in the area. If we as a society can't be bothered to look out for each other, we're finished as such.

I hope to be in posession of the deed to my new property in Hinton by the 4th of April. Should anyone in the area ever see either of my two boys engaged in any activity worthy of a boot to the rear, you have my permission to do so. Or give me a call and I'll do it myself!

~Mark
PS- still looking for a reputable barn builder in the area...

[snowshoemtnman]

I believe would should start testing the people in WV that are receiving government assistance. I know in Pocahontas County certain county commissioners are trying to enact legislation that requires testing for all court house employees, and they are running into resistance. Crazy!! If OUR government employees and taxpayer assisted recipients are fighting drug testing, I think WE THE PEOPLE need to take some action.

[Hinton Bound]

Originally Posted by snowshoemtnman

I believe would should start testing the people in WV that are receiving government assistance. I know in Pocahontas County certain county commissioners are trying to enact legislation that requires testing for all court house employees, and they are running into resistance. Crazy!! If OUR government employees and taxpayer assisted recipients are fighting drug testing, I think WE THE PEOPLE need to take some action.

I like the idea of testing welfare and food stamp recipients of our tax dollars for drugs (illegal kind). If they can afford (or are dumb enough) to buy that stuff, they don't need our assistance. As I said earlier, in a close/small setting, it's pretty easy to identify/rectify such improprieties.

As for the employees, I have to stick to my previous rant . What they do with the money they earn, and their spare time is their business; and so long as it doesn't impact anyone elses life, liberty, or pursuit of happiness we don't need to regulate it.

~Mark

[x1x]

My views about good parenting is that one an lead a horse to the water but you can't make it drink!!!!. Also i don't believe that everyone thats using drugs has had bad parents? that did not care about the welfare of there off spring.
many parents who are single or married and are working trying to keep a home for their family cannot possibly be in 100% control of their kids, And something should be done at a early stage to prevent and or control drug usage!!! And also there are home drug testing kits to check your own kids for drugs and their not that expensive, many can be found in your local drug store and on line. And I agree what one does in their home is their business, however when they leave their home then there entering public domain and become every ones business about their safety and welfare, whether it be on the highways or work place or any place of public gathering!!!!!

[BJC]

Ok I think I have to put on my HR hat here….

UP FRONT I would not be opposed to drug testing. If you are not using illegal drugs or abusing legal (Rx) drugs, you should have no problem with this. Sometimes we have to give up certain things to attain the Greater Good! Look at what we now go through in airports since 9-11. Well worth standing in a security line if they are trying to provide me with safe travel.

I do think if we select one particular group of people for drug testing (welfare recipients) then we are creating an environment of discrimination, therefore it would be challenged in court. What can we do?

Hinton Bound you said, “What they do with the money they earn, and their spare time is their business; and so long as it doesn't impact anyone elses life, liberty, or pursuit of happiness we don't need to regulate it.”

This concerns me, lets talk about teachers who get high (smoking pot) on the weekends; do you really want that influence in the classroom? You may ask how this is different from getting drunk on the week end, good question. One is legal the other is not. Both are bad. How do we control this and make a difference……..

I just hate to see people turn to drugs……they bring 1 of 2 things jail or death

[italianbluesboy]

Originally Posted by Hinton Bound

What they do with the money they earn, and their spare time is their business; and so long as it doesn't impact anyone elses life, liberty, or pursuit of happiness we don't need to regulate it.

Well, when it drug addiction causes people to rob and steal and drag down the safety factor of an area and drive up the crime rate of an area, then they sure are impacting everyone. First drugs ruined our cities, now they are ruining the countryside. Illegal recreational drugs are dragging down our entire nation, increasing crime and premature death and wasted resources. Only the most extreme libertarian could defend illegal drug abuse as "their business". To support their habit it has also become "their business" to steal and rob from the honest citizens of WV, thus impacting our "life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness."

[Hinton Bound]

Originally Posted by italianbluesboy

Well, when it drug addiction causes people to rob and steal and drag down the safety factor of an area and drive up the crime rate of an area, then they sure are impacting everyone. First drugs ruined our cities, now they are ruining the countryside. Illegal recreational drugs are dragging down our entire nation, increasing crime and premature death and wasted resources. Only the most extreme libertarian could defend illegal drug abuse as "their business". To support their habit it has also become "their business" to steal and rob from the honest citizens of WV, thus impacting our "life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness."

The whole "for the better good..." argument sound a lot like Socialism, bordering on Communism. Perhaps we should let adults do as they see fit in their own time, and not deny them the opportunity to work because they do something you disagree with in their off time. THAT is what causes them to have to rob and steal; the fact that you would deny them the opportunity to have legitimate employment. I further disagree that drugs are the reason for premature death and wasted resourses. They may be a part of it, but a very small one. How about cigarettes and alcohol??? More people die from those two than illegal drugs- by an overwhelming margin. What about obesity?? Should we ban fast food restaurants and buffetts too? After all we waste billions on health care for fat people? Drive to any public area and look at all the fat people... Should they too be mandated to live life as you see fit for them?

Ahh, but we can always count on more laws and government intervention to solve the crisis, right? After all they've such a glistening job with the Social Security, Education, and putting us trillions of dollars in debt to China. Yep, let's let them deicide how we need to live our lives.

It's a sad day when the "rights" of the society take precedence over those of individuals. Mostly because Rights are only retained by individuals, not groups.

I wish I could type better, but for the sake of the thread here it's for the best. I don't intend this as personal, I just firmly believe in the rights of individuals.
~Mark

[italianbluesboy]

Obesity and cigarettes don't cause people to steal and rob - drugs do. Do people steal purses to buy a Big Mac or a six pack of beer? I'm sure the people of Amsteredam or Holland would be glad to have Hinton Bound (Holland Bound?) as a citizen, as he would be more at home there, but here in WV we look our for each other, and not just everyone for his or her self. You seem to be very defensive of illegal drug use.

Originally Posted by Hinton Bound

It's a sad day when the "rights" of the society take precedence over those of individuals. Mostly because Rights are only retained by individuals, not groups.

Is it a "right" to abuse oxycontin or heroin or crack? Last I checked that was illegal, not a "right". And it has caused WV to go downhill. I don't know when Hinton bound got to WV, but I have been here since I was born here, so I know that it is worse.