Tracking your car? Cops need a warrant, says judge

http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2008/jun/04/prisonsandprobation.justice

drug dealers have rights too I guess..they have the right to prey on people..and guess who is helping them

More than 40 people have been caught trying to break into prisons in the last five years, highlighting a growing drug problem in the penal system, according to new government figures.

The data released by the justice secretary, Jack Straw, showed that 19 people were involved in such incidents last year alone.

The figures appeared to confirm warnings from the Prison Officer Association.

The shadow justice secretary, Nick Herbert, who requested the information, said: "Whether these are offenders trying to return to jail, as prison officers have alleged, or dealers trying to traffic drugs, it is ludicrous that supposedly secure establishments can be breached in this way."

In April, the POA assistant general secretary, Glyn Travis, said: "Drugs are coming in at a rate that's so dramatic that [they] are actually cheaper than on the outside.

"It tells me there's something wrong in society when people are breaking into jail to bring in drugs and prostitutes, but the prisoners are quite happy to stay inside."

since we are almost on the issue of drug use...here is a little side note..

http://www.professorshouse.com/family/health/facts-about-marijuana.aspx

Long Term Effects of Marijuana Use
Studies have demonstrated that inhaling marijuana over a long period of time can cause cellular changes in the lung tissue called metaplasia. Metaplasia is considered pre-cancerous. It has been found that marijuana smoke contains over 50 -70 percent more carcinogens than tobacco smoke! Since users inhale the unfiltered smoke deeply and hold for a longer period of time, the lung tissue is irritated and this results in coughing, phlegm and increased risk of emphysema. Additionally, due to an increase of up to 50% in the heart rate, it can cause chest pain in those with already compromised cardiac function and may result in heart attack.

THC also has a negative impact on the immune system. This results in more frequent bouts with bacterial infections and respiratory illnesses. One study of 450 people that smoked marijuana on a steady basis demonstrated more lost work days than their counterparts.

Psychological and Social Effects
Problems in socialization can result from the constant use of marijuana. Disassociation, depression, melancholy and anxiety have all associated with long term usage. Since marijuana reduces memory retention and attention span, learning is compromised, resulting in decreases of accomplishment in the classroom or workplace. Once the user quits smoking marijuana for 4 weeks, cognitive ability resumes and the negative impact decreases.

Chronic smokers of this substance have a higher frequency of divorce and disruptive family life. The negative socialization aspect has a heavy negative impact on daily life. In the work place studies found that marijuana smokers had a 55% increase in compensation claims, sick days and tardiness. On the job performance suffered as well. The heavy smoking employees have a problem with retention span, paying attention to detail and retaining directives.

Marijuana smokers describe the effect of prolonged usage of the drug as “Burnout”. This presents in a smoker as a dull, listless, and inattentive individual, - so unaware of their surroundings that they become non-responsive and appear like a ‘zombie”.