Who is at fault, drug dealer or consumer?

Very interesting debate. Even more interesting is the fact that people try to prosecute the drug dealer. Of course, they should be locked up for selling an illegal substance, however, they should under no circumstances be held responsible for the death of any user. It is rather funny how many Americans twist and turn their "principles" the way it fits the current situation. How about the gun retailers? Let me remind you that the sole purpose of a gun is to kill/destruct somebody/something. So when Jack goes out to kill his sister, we should, of course, prosecute the gun dealer/manufacturer. Right? For that he sold a gun that has no other use than some form of destruction. How about the cigarette retailers/manufacturers? Lock them up, too. I am sorry for the loss of the young man, but at 24 it is time to take responsibility for your action. That is exactly what is wrong with a lot of our young people these days. They are never responsible for what they do. It is always somebody else who has to bleed for their actions.

I think it's hilarious that just because u lose a loved one to drugs we actually hold the right to punish the person who sold it to them. I honestly think that the best way to deal with the crime of drug dealing is to not leave anybody to deal to in the first place. Mainly because in this day and age, we have seen the results of what all these drugs do to the generations before us, and if we in turn decide to follow in that same path we should be held responsible. If u are disgusted by the crack-heads and heroin junkies that roam the streets and wonder how these middle-aged people ended up ruining their lives, how can you possibly end up down the same road? Our generation is more screwed than the test dummies that tried in the first place, and it's not because there are more dealers. It's because there are more people that think everything can be hidden under a rug because in some way they are different from the rest. Leave the dealers alone.

I cant believe people are actually debating about this. For one thing a drug dealer that is scum of the earth and cant get a real job should be held responsible they provided an illegal drug in the first place in turn actually poisoning someone to death if they were reluctant to take it or not period they are murders

By saying the drug dealers are not responsible for there actions is letting then get away with an injustice. Yes people make there own choices and their choice was to sell and illegal substance. They chose to possibly kill someone when they sell drugs. They are not twisting anyone's arm to take what they sell but they are thing of the consequences to their actions either. I think they should be held responsible in some way. If you have plastic surgery and it goes wrong you or your family can sue the doctor even though no one twisted you arm to have the surgery right? I understand it is not illegal to have the surgery but you made the choice so should you not pay for it? The toxicology report is not in and for all we know what Nick thought what he was taking was different that what he actually was given. Most controlled substances do not put the name of the product on the product. Not that it would help now but don't you think they should? Is it possible the dealer thought she was giving one type of drug and gave a different one? Unless the dealer is held responsible we will not know why what he took brought upon his death. When exactly did it become ok to for a person not to be held responable for the action's they choose to take?

DRUG DEALEAR IS AT FAULT , drugs are a strong chemical like , arsenic poision ,the drug dealear is handing out a controled chemical substance ,there is really not much difference betwen the drug dealear selling drugs or arsenic posioning , or some other harmful poisionus chemical .you dont know what the chemicals are in those lil bags of street corner lowlife madness.

For all of those that continue to reference the sale of alcohol, tobacco, firearms as though any of these items are in the same “league” with illegal drugs must also support “legalizing the sale of prescription drugs” by parties that are not licensed. In other words, if we follow this position to the end, we should give the drug dealer a license to sell prescription drugs? Oh well, sounds to me like there might be an IQ issue with those that just can’t get the fact that there are two guilty parties…the consumer AND the drug dealer. The consumer died and the drug dealer is still out on the street, probably making his/her next sale. Duh? Interested Citizen

It's sad to me that so many people jump to blame bad parenting for their children's decisions. Once a person reaches a certain age, they are responsible for their own decisions. Parents can only do so much and then they have to let go and hope that the lessons that they have taught have gotten through to their kids. Both of these families have admitted that their loved one's decisions contributed to their deaths. However, the drug dealer also made a decision in the particular lifestyle that they are living as well. They made the decision to sell the drug to these young people and they should be held accountable for that decision. As far as the other people that have been mentioned (ie. the automobile makers, pastors, and the shoe companies) I think that it's a great idea that these companies and individuals accept a small amount of responsibility, and in turn, encourage their employees to give both financially and with time and talents to community support organizations that help these individuals. If there were more support for these causes, maybe there would be less additions and deaths. It's been mentioned before that addition is a disease and I hope that more people wake up and realize that it's a disease that affects people regardless of race, gender, economic income and parent teachings and values. Anyone at anytime could become addicted to drugs. For example, you could be in a car accident and get addicted to the perscription pain killers. Guess what - It's a lifelong addition. I hope that all those so quick to judge aren't faced with the loss that these two families have experienced.

Starting with the State Run ABC Stores. People that purchase Liquor/Wine/Beer, and the Companies & Stores that Manufacture and Sell it, because someone couldn't be responsible for their own actions, taking a innocent persons Life, or their own though "Addiction" to such "Legal" Drugs take their own Life... Sure, Let's Make "Everyone" Accountable for One's Stupid decisions.. On the Other hand... Folks, There is a REASON PROHIBITION Failed, Can We see the similarities yet on this failed "War on Drugs"?

Wow... Let's take a logical look at the situation. A man allegedly sold a quantity of drugs to an individual that overdosed on them. If he is even the true culprit for providing the "illicit drugs" than so be it. However, the fact still remains that the death of the individual was that of her own design. Every time an individual purchases an illicit substance, they know the risks involved with such. More over, the fact she was addicted to opiates/opioids, she most likely didn't care. In the cases of addiction one seems to forget the basic rules of dealing with an unknown substance, testing for purity and concentration. Seems to me, that if she really cared to live she would have bothered to research one or the other. In addition to the fact that her own ignorance was the causative agent in her death, it is very possible she didn't understand dosing. Either way, an individual takes their own life in their hands when they choose to become involved with the substance. In the end, it is her fault. Why don't we all arrest firearms manufacturers for creating firearms, that individuals choose kill themselves with? In no way should the "dealer" be held responsible for her death, it was her fault. It seems to me that the parents, regardless of their stated stance, have a vendetta of revenge. In the end, if she hadn't purchased it from him then she would have eventually found the product that she was searching for. Social darwinism at it's best.

For those that have missed an important fact: Both of the deceased’s family has admitted (as hard as it might be) they know their family member was responsible for his/her own actions…neither one was forced to take drugs. Both surviving family members realize their deceased loved one has paid the ultimate price for making a wrong and illegal decision….they willingly took an illegal substance and DIED. The surviving families are simply asking for JUSTICE. It is ILLEGAL to TAKE an illegal substance, however it is also ILLEGAL to SELL/GIVE an illegal substance. There were two parties involved in an ILLEGAL activity. One party has died because of participating in illegal activity…what consequences did the DRUG DEALER suffer? NONE. WHERE IS THE JUSTICE IN THIS? For those that have not heard….”you are supposed to go to College for a degree in Pharmacy” to distribute/sell prescription drugs…otherwise if you choose to take on this profession …you are DRUG DEALER. Did you know that if a Pharmacist makes a MISTAKE and sells/fills a prescription incorrectly that causes harm to an individual, that PHARMACIST can be charged/sued. For those that have the philosophy that there should be no consequences for the DRUG DEALER….is that because they didn’t go to College so they don’t know any better than to sell prescription drugs so they can plead ignorance? PLEASE! To ALL the individuals that want to place blame on the Parents for not instilling the morals necessary to cause their child to abstain….you should attend a few seminars on ADDICTION. Sadly, many of the individuals that take drugs, bring about their own death…know the path they are on and cannot stop. Many will seek help, hospitalization and counseling for their addiction and yet WILL relapse…it is a DISEASE known as ADDICTION. These individuals CHOOSE to take drugs because they are victims of this DISEASE. It is a difficult and horrible disease to overcome. The success rate is not great…but it is worth the try...failure at their attempt, many times is DEATH. Just as many struggle to survive the disease of CANCER or AIDS…addicts struggle to survive the disease of ADDICTION. It’s difficult for an addict…because it means a COMPLETE LIFE CHANGE…many times it means moving physically, which is an expense (sadly) that some can’t afford. Hospitalization is an expense that many can't pay for and many times the payment for treatment of this disease is required "upfront". You may ask why that would affect the success rate of an addict kicking the habit. Well, because of the DRUG DEALER…they KNOW that their best customer is the ADDICT. Not only is the drug dealer guilty of an illegal act, but he is also taking advantage of a person with a disease. Society would not tolerate this if it were a person with Cancer or AIDS taken advantage of…why would one believe it is acceptable to take advantage of a person with a disease such as ADDICTION. When you have personally heard stories of how people really do want to change their life, how they really do want to remove the illegal drugs from their lives and you know with all of your heart that they are sincere…yet, somehow can’t manage to do it….you’ve got to know that it’s the sad disease known as ADDICTION. This disease not only affects the diseased person but it affects the entire family. Unless you are masochist, you cannot enjoy an addict’s lifestyle. DRUG DEALERS know that there will ALWAYS be a demand for illegal drugs….because their best customers have the disease of ADDICTION. Drug dealers know that many of those best customers WILL DIE. For those that feel that is acceptable…WOW. How can you defend your position…or maybe you are an addict or drug dealer simply trying to maintain the current law for your own benefit? One would wonder. Nick and Renee have died for a cause, which has affected more than one addict. I am sure many of his/her friends were/are addicts….that is how it happens. Maybe their death will cause a “life changing” effect that will prevent the death of others…”become a recovering addict and stick with it”. Be one more person to take away that reason for the DRUG DEALER with the “supply and demand” theory. However, for those in the future that do not make it…everyone should know that the ADDICT is a guilty party but only because he has a debilitating disease and the DRUG DEALER is simply A GUILTY PARTY. AMMEND THE LAW…..JUSTICE FOR NICK! Interested Citizen

This is just an example of how many people today have blamed everyone else for problems that were brought on by their own reckless actions and behavior. Nicholas Murray decided to do drugs, that was his decision even though he may have known better....the dealer will sell to whom ever wants to buy the drugs. The dealers are punished if caught. But only Nicholas Murray is responsible for his death! Crystal Lewis I feel for the lost of your brother, it is hard to loose a family memeber this way. But you need to quit trying to blame everyone else for your brother's death.

In response to the alcohol & tobacco companies- these are LEGAL produts and perscrption drugs are legal when taken by the person perscribed to. HOWEVER ILLEGAL narcotics are what they are ILLEGAL! No one blames the dealer completely- but they took part in something that lead to a death. It's no different than someone helping a suicidal person hang themselves?? This is an age old debate that will have many different opinions but the outcome will be far better if drug dealers feel stiffer penalties PERIOD! As far as mothers are concerned- you can preach to your children & you SHOULD but peer pressure is there. I hope your child does steer clear of drugs- but the reality is always there. There iS always A POSSIBILITY.`

I have no problem with LEO going after the dealer, if they can prove who the dealer is. But that doesn't negate the fact that these individuals took these drugs on their own. They are ultimately responsible for what they do.

All blame rests with the user no one forced them to do drugs it is of their own free will. As for the dealers yes they may be scumbags but it goes back to economics if there is a demand someone will supply it.

Perhaps we should put less blame on the open market (legal or not) and ask these "victim's" mothers why they didn't teach their children strength of character. Life is about cultural habits, not penal codes. Less government, more parenting.

I am the other sister to Nicholas Murray and i back my sister up 100%. People say that they want drug dealers off the streets, but when it come to a crime that they help in ( as in the death of my brother) they say nothing can be done. Well if you can be charged just for being with a group that causes an armed robbery, murdder with a gun or assualt why then can you not be held accountable when you contribute to the death of someone with drugs.

The last time I checked, it was illegal to deal drugs and therefore they should be punished. If they know who did it, they should be prosecuted for distributing if not voluntary manslaughter or something.