File Photo (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By Doug Collins

One Man's Opinion

COLLINS: Does justice ever really get served?

Sep 8, 2023 | 5:21 AM

THOSE WHO KNOW ME WELL — and there are getting to be fewer and fewer of them — know of my passion for helping others. It’s part of my DNA. I am strongly committed to the plight of the homeless, the addicts, those with mental challenges and the effort to reconcile the rights of the Indigenous peoples.

But sometimes there has to be concern for the victims of the actions of some of these marginalized groups. Sometimes there has to be some punishment. And judges give out sentences with stupid conditions that will never be followed.

Recently in Kamloops, a man pleaded guilty to assault and assault with a weapon. He had threatened a person who attempted to stop him from committing a crime. The man was under an order at the time not to possess weapons. The judge might have seen that as a clue.

Apparently, the man had suffered a fast fall into substance abuse, but now seems to be making progress. The judge bought into it and gave the man a 12-month conditional sentence, with the first four months to be served under house arrest and a year’s probation. I hate to guess how many people sentenced to house arrest are currently wandering around the streets. More than you realize. And oh, he can’t use drugs or alcohol. There you go. Just the ticket. And he must live in supportive housing. Which, of course, we have so much of in Kamloops.

As much as I have so much respect for Bob Hughes of ASK Wellness, who is a real Kamloops hero in my books, I don’t know how many more miracles even Bob can pull out of the hat.

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I hope this man continues to make progress and recovers to live a productive life. But I worry about the long-term effects of the victims, too. The trauma for a Good Samaritan here could well last a lifetime.

To be threatened with death by a man chasing you with a big machete isn’t something you get over with a good night’s sleep. Hard to get closure when your assailant gets told to be a good boy and don’t drink or do drugs anymore.

Maybe I’m wrong but it seems a little off kilter to me. Time, I guess, will be the true test.

I’m Doug Collins and that’s One Man’s Opinion.

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Editor’s Note: This opinion piece reflects the views of its author, and does not necessarily represent the views of CFJC Today or Pattison Media.