one party, two puffs, and three years in jail

i found out yesterday that a friend's friend, was arrested for three years for drug abuse. this kid was visiting from lebanon for an extended weekend, his company had sent him to dubai for a training class. he was invited to a party over the weekend, and though his friend did not want to go, he went anyway. at the party two prostitutes showed up with marijuana, and were trying to get the guys and the party high, horny, and generous. this kid ended up taking a couple of puffs, and an hour laters the police raided the party and arrested everyone. they told the kid they would release him if he gave them the names of any suppliers or heavy users but he did not know anyone in the country. so they kept him in jail and set a court date for ten days from that date, his friends in the mean time were raising money to pay for a good lawyer. on the day of the hearing the lawyer failed to show up to the court, choosing to take the money and run, the judge barely reviewing the case, sentenced the poor lad to three years in jail for substance abuse.

his friends have called everyone they could think of, lebanese ministers, politicians, but know one wants to get involved. and the poor kid's family has no money or "wasta" connections.

this story really upset me, they are the type of stories that make me want to leave this place. i mean this poor kid's life is ruined, it will hurt his career, it will hurt his future, its killing his parents and girlfriend back home, and not to mention the emotional and psychological damage it will cause him. it just seems way to much for a couple of puffs of a joint. i mean, you can fine the guy, jail him for a week or a month even, deport him if you really have to...but to jail him for three years is ridiculous.

now the kid can only wait and prey that come ramadan the sheikh (ruler) of dubai, will pardon him, which he does each year at that time to show his mercy, but the list of people awaiting a pardon is long and not guaranteed.

this country needs to get some perspective, three years in jail, for smoking two puffs of a joint, at a party one night . . . is just to much.