Many people, specifically social libertarians and those who advocate for the legalization of recreational drugs claim that personal drug use is a “victimless crime.” Well, a recent crime in Lompoc and others around the nation, including recent mass shootings where recreational drug use was a contributing factor, rebut that theory.
Others have criticized police officers and demanded that they be replaced by social workers. They theorize that by doing this there would be fewer arrests and altercations resulting in injuries to suspects who resist officers.
On Saturday, June 12, a Lompoc man, Joe Garcia Jr. was allegedly fighting with his father in the central part of old town Lompoc. As the police were responding, a second caller reported that the victim was being beaten. Police asked Garcia Jr. to open the door so they could check on the older man.
“Joe did not comply, and the door was forced opened,” Lompoc police Sgt. Jorge Magana said. “Upon forcing the door, we immediately saw the father was set on fire and was actively burning.”
While some officers placed the suspect in custody, others extinguished the fire, began life saving efforts, and called for medical aid.
On June 14, Garcia pleaded “not guilty” to attempted murder and aggravated mayhem during his arraignment hearing and is currently being held on $1 million bail; the court has ordered a mental competency evaluation.
His father later died from the injuries.
The suspect in this case is widely known to law enforcement and the community at-large. He is and was a strong proponent for the legalization of cannabis and spoke forcefully at several Lompoc City Council meetings claiming to represent the cannabis industry. His involvement in the industry later proved to be a gross overrepresentation on his part.
He even threatened elected officials with physical harm because they seemed to be opposed to legalizing cannabis based on conflicting studies concerning the health issues of prolonged use of products containing THC. Many well-researched studies indicate that higher THC content in cannabis today may contribute to paranoia and other negative symptoms, a fact that was downplayed during state and local hearings to legalize cannabis sale and use.
Garcia Jr. also publicly acknowledged a long-term history of using cannabis long before it was legalized. On social media he has admitted to using other drugs as well. Recently he claimed that he was the target of an effort by an “organized crime network” to control his Twitter account.
During public hearings and on social media, Garcia Jr. has also stated that cannabis is not a gateway drug, but his behaviors and seeming move on to stronger drugs seem to prove otherwise. It is well-established that this is also the case with tens-of-thousands of other individuals throughout the country.
Now to the bigger question, is nonprescription drug use really a victimless crime?
To his father who was the victim of his alleged physical violence the answer is obviously no. To the police officers, firefighters, and medics responding to this horrific crime scene the answer is also no.
Our first responders confront the direct result of recreational drug use almost daily in Lompoc and elsewhere across the nation. Many are juveniles, unconscious from overuse; unconscious and unresponsive adults who have overdosed; and some adults and juveniles who are beyond help.
It is impossible to “unsee” these horrific scenes: Firefighters wear heavy and special fabric turnout gear, a breathing apparatus, and a helmet to protect them from physical danger. Police officers and sheriff’s office deputies wear a vest and carry a gun, baton, taser, and more. These are tools of the trade, but these items do not protect the hearts, souls, and minds of those who respond to emergencies.
The cumulative impact on these men and women is often hidden in the short term but can be harmful to their physical and mental health as the years wear on. This phenomenon is commonly referred to as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
The next time someone claims that recreational, drug use is a victimless crime, think first of the parents who watch their children become hopelessly addicted to recreational drugs and then first responders who regularly deal with the irresponsible actions of drug users.
It really aggravates me when poorly informed people criticize how police officers handle in-progress calls for help. And if you think that a social worker could have handled the Garcia family dispute, you clearly don’t understand what is happening on the street.
Ron Fink writes to the Sun from Lompoc. Send a response for publication to [email protected].
