Editor, Times-Union: My name is Sterling Templeton. I am writing in regards to the recent meth-related articles.
I am currently in prison and have been for the past five years on a meth-related charge. I manned up and took responsibility for my actions, Ms. Creamer. I know Mr. Niles, Mr. Lewallen personally. We’ve all had numerous chances to come out of prison clean and sober and start on a fresh foot.
It’s hard to do when first, the funds in all DOC facilities have been cut and classes have been dropped. There is currently no college classes available where I’m at. The waiting list for substance abuse is long and you can’t even get on that list until you’re down to your last three years.
We all know the dangers of meth and the pain it has brought to our community. What these men, as well as myself, are asking is to please dedicate a little more time and a little more effort to this epidemic. I agree that there are N/A classes available upon my release and it’s up to me to attend. But what is K-county doing to prepare us once we’re released? I think that’s the question at hand.
Why isn’t more funding being set aside for meth addicts when the problem in our county is this big? Why doesn’t Kosciusko County have a drug court? Instead of years in prison maybe more probation and drug counseling to teach us how to live as productive citizens?
Addiction is a sickness not a crime. It should be treated as such. Judge Reed is the one who sentenced me and he told me, “If the state statue allowed me to give you more time I would gladly hand it to you.” Now does that sound like someone that’s trying to help? K-county needs to open their eyes to the problem and realize long prison sentences is not the solution.
