# 99

25 year-old man in Providence, RI convicted of 2nd degree murder from February 2014 fentanyl overdose death in Distribution case in which he sold to 29 year-old woman who was two days out of Texas Rehab.

In addition to illustrating the sloth-like pace some courts have for delivering Justice (3 years, 2 months), this case describes how the "victim" and "defendant" were both raised by single mothers.  Additionally, the article describes how the defendant's 23 year-old brother was recently convicted in a gang-related murder from 2014.

Increasingly, the media has been emphasizing aspects of life which have nothing to do with the elements of specific crime.  Possession and sale/distribution are felonies no matter what socio-economic strata one comes from.  Purchase and possession of controlled substances is a violation of law whether the possessor is sick or not.

Adult choices continue to reflect a risk continuum which includes arrest and death.  Our society needs to re-examine the distribution of resources in order that youth and persons who are not addicted to any substance receive their fair share in leading them away from making fatal decisions.

http://www.providencejournal.com/news/20170412/dealer-convicted-of-murder-in-cranston-womans-fentanyl-overdose