Deseret News | The thief inside

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The thief inside

Selling on Ebay | 11:33 p.m. Oct. 31, 2009

The story mentions a customer who could have sold his shotgun on Ebay. Ebay does not allow listings for firearms.

Do your child a favor | 12:55 a.m. Nov. 1, 2009

Turn him/her in to the police and don't care what the neighbors say. That's what it took with our child and he's been clean and sober over two years.

Ban Oycotin | 3:54 a.m. Nov. 1, 2009

It seems that Oxycontin has been the major contributor to drug addiction for too many people and it should be completely banned, even in hospitals.

It's sole purpose is for pain but that is not good enough reason to keep using it. It has no medical value and treats no diseases or human needs. There are other non addictive medications that can be used to reduce pain.

In my low mentality reasoning, pain is your friend when hurt or injured and you gage your recovery by the reduction of pain as you heal. Even after a major surgery pain is your ally and drugs mask the pain and not even doctors can truly diagnose recovery or other complications that may arise.

Oxycontin should be removed from the market and never administered again, it has destroyed too many lives and is too addictive. It is not a drug you can drop cold turkey when it becomes an addiction because going cold turkey can also be deadly and dangerous. It's worse than heroin as a drug.

Perhaps a few lawsuits against the drug companies and hospitals making them liable for creating addicts of drugs are needed.

Comments continue below

I have a cat for sale | 5:20 a.m. Nov. 1, 2009

You can sell ANYTHING on ebay if it is mis-categorized and sells quick enough through buy it now without being reported. Anything.

Tough love | 6:26 a.m. Nov. 1, 2009

A criminal is a criminal, whether a family member or not, turn them to the authorities to be dealt with. Parents need to exercise some tough love, it can go a long way.

what in tucket? | 7:49 a.m. Nov. 1, 2009

Those who understand interest receive it. Those who do not pay it. I say put drug addicts on the work farm.

Legalize it??? | 8:04 a.m. Nov. 1, 2009

Where are all the people defending legalizing drugs? I guess they don't have any comment when the truth comes out about the damage caused by drugs.

I Still Don't Understand! | 8:30 a.m. Nov. 1, 2009

Why between the parents, family members police, and pawn store owners WHY we can't find out who these snarly drug dealers are and get them off from the streets.It wouldn't stop all of the trafficing but would make a large dent. Bank and store pharmacy thefts I have the same question, why can't we find out when these addicts are arrested through deep questioning find out where their dealers are and who they are. When the dealers are arrested why can't we find out where the pipeline is? I would turn drugies back out on the street immediatey upon the arrest of the dealers and suppliers to correct and limit some of this traffic. Plese answer these quwstions those of you who are and have been users and dealers.

Thomas | 9:02 a.m. Nov. 1, 2009

It's the principle of "Tough Love". To get your loved one cured, you have to take the steps that accomplish that. Being a protective enabler simply continues the addiction and the problem. The addict has to be brought to face reality and to decide to make the necessary changes. It's not pleasant, but it's the only way.

Anonymous | 9:06 a.m. Nov. 1, 2009

It looks like drug addicts are here to stay!
Maybe we should start by closing down all the pawn shops, or make every pawn shop hire an "honest" security person that questions the person pawning the stuff, even requiring proof that it is theirs. Otherwise, turn them away. Some people may have too much "stuff" but when someone steal it, it can be devastating for them, family, neighbor or unknown victims. Make life harder for the "addict" and not the "victims."

My cousin | 9:27 a.m. Nov. 1, 2009

will be spending the next 2-12 years in prison for doing the same thing. He had a great job, great wife, great family, great home and lost it all. It was sad to watch. He still admits no guilt. His parents have spent their life savings on rehabs centers and have nothing to show for their life of hard work and will soon be placed in assisted living centers and have to leave their beautiful home. The drug abuse affects everyone around the abuser. They know they are hurting others but do honestly can't control themselves.

Me | 12:46 p.m. Nov. 1, 2009

They can control themselves, and should learn to do so . . . and their families should learn to stop being enablers. Turn them in, it really is the best thing! Don't blame the pawnshops or police for what is happening, take responsibility for your own actions (or lack thereof--ie. not turning loved ones in) and for theirs if that is what is required . . .

Wrong method | 1:26 p.m. Nov. 1, 2009

The war on drugs is a bust. It is not working. There needs to be other solutions, such as Harm Reduction Strategies. Addiction needs to be treated as a medical issue so it does not become a criminal problem. There are many other potential solutions to cutting drug abuse. Search the internet.

WALLY | 1:28 p.m. Nov. 1, 2009

We should follow how Asian countries take care of these problems (Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand).Read up on them. A drug dealer is a mass murderer without using a knife or a gun. Because of their greeds and their indifference, they used somebody else to destroy any society they choose to live in or deploy these additive drugs. If we as a society passed Laws that will be detrimental to their well meaning or consider them as worst then first degree murderer, they would go somewhere else to peddle their trade or take the chance of being eliminated from our society as a whole.

Concerned Father | 2:49 p.m. Nov. 1, 2009

My sons have done exactly the same things as described in this article. It could have been written about them. I agree; addiction needs to be treated as a medical issue before it becomes a criminal problem. Possibly when our legislature realizes this, we can move in the right direction. In my opinion, MOST PAWN SHOPS ARE CRIMINALS. The State of Utah does not care. They will not prosecute the pawn shop for stealing from you. HANG'EM HIGH!

Motherbear | 3:59 p.m. Nov. 1, 2009

My ex husband stole thousands in jewelry, guns, coin collections from his family, friends, neighbors and employers. You name it, he stole it to support his drug and drinking habit. He had years of therapy, treatments, medications, and even spent time in jail but nothing deterred him from stealing to support his habits and he couldn't keep a job. After he stole the rent money from me and we were evicted I finally had enough and divorced him. Drugs destroyed our marriage,his relationship with his children, his parents, siblings and everyone else he came in contact with. Everything finally caught up with him when he was 39 - his liver failed and couldn't filter out toxins so his skin, tongue and whites of his eyes were dark orange and his 5'10" frame had shrunk to around 90 lbs. I took my children to say goodbye to the father they hardly knew the day before he died and I was angry because they had to see him like that. What a horrible thing to put your family through and what a terrible way to die!

Linda | 5:13 p.m. Nov. 1, 2009

Im a 14 year recovering addict, I have done alot of aweful things to my family and friends that I would have never done if I had not been addicted to Meth. I am here to say that you can get clean and start a new life. I DID by myself, my family gave me tough love and that was the best thing that they could have done, but the biggest thing you need to remember is that they need to want to be sober... If you force someone into rehab and they are not ready they will use again. Sometime a person just needs to hit their rock bottom so they can look up and see the sun again, I did

Wake up! | 5:18 p.m. Nov. 1, 2009

If you don't turn in you drug addict for stealing from you it will only get worse for both of you. It's not fair to other family members. How is anyone ever going to learn without consequenses?

I am free to make choices, but I am not free from the consequences of the choices that I make.

Tough Love is True Love.

To Mother Bear | 5:28 p.m. Nov. 1, 2009

Mother Bear, what a trooper you are. Keeping the family together in the perfect storm of theft, drugs and alcohol. My prayers are with you and your children.

That Jesus Guy Is Waaay Smart | 9:24 p.m. Nov. 1, 2009

Yet another good reason to obey the Lord's Word of Wisdom.

Anti's can mock it all they want but this story spells out the problems and pain associated with taking illegal drugs pretty clearly.

"Just say NO!" is a danged smart plan after all!

Understanding | 11:53 a.m. Nov. 3, 2009

I have been addicted, but there is a ray of hope. Usually tough love is what it takes. I do not believe that all pawn shop owners are to blame, they are trying to make a living just like the rest of us.
In response to "i still don't understand" - users will not turn in a dealer, and a dealer not turn in a drug lord for the reason that they will be killed. It is a violent and painful world, rocked with addicts and druglords. Saddest part is, when someone does get clean and people only see the former addict.
the lord has taught us all to forgive, and when a person gets help, we need to be understanding and hope for the best. Crazy world out there, but some of us need to become better people and not harbor so much resentment.

Its Hard | 12:52 p.m. Nov. 3, 2009

I have a close cousin and a brother dealing with this. My parents turned my brother in, but once they get out the sellers are right there trying to get them back. I used to work with my cousin; she has lost pretty much everything, but she is still using. Sometimes you just want to look the other way.. What is the right way? should you help them not destroy their lifes, or turn the other way..
I have had to many lies told when all I wanted to do was help her.

A concerned reader | 11:58 a.m. Nov. 4, 2009

I would like to know if "Tough Love" is personally in this predicament? Makes you wonder if people really know what they are talking about if they have not been in this situation themselves? What's the old saying "try walking a mile in my shoes" People are too quick to judge, point fingers, criticize and condemn, I think drug addiction is a disease that is spreading faster than we realize.

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