An ounce of prevention

Jana Mathia | Jul 20, 20170

Gazette Staff

Acid crimes are on the rise in Britain. NPR recently reported about two teens who had splashed acid in people's faces in five different attacks in one night. This has prompted lawmakers to begin talking about “solutions,” like limiting how much acid you can buy, having permits or background checks.

Such reactive solutions probably aren't the answer to the real problem. There aren't many guns in Britain, so the criminal's weapon of choice is a knife, making knife crime common in the UK. As police there crack down on knife possession, knife crimes may go down, but now acid crimes are on the rise.

Here at home, there's a lot of talk about limiting gun possession and instituting the safeguards UK lawmakers are considering for acid. But that's not going to stop crime or violence. Take away guns, you have knives; take away knives, you have acid.

If a person wants to be violent, they will find some tool or weapon with which to enact the violence.

The real solution may be in remembering the old adage, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

Instead of trying to rein in people after they become criminals, how about boosting efforts to keep people from going down that route in the first place? Instead of trying to restrict the weapon of choice, let's encourage programs that engage youth. Get them involved, provide positive mentors, initiate wholesome recreational activities.

We can keep trying to play catch-up with the newest crime fad or we can be proactive and encourage a generation that does not have the desire to harm or victimize their fellow man. And not because they fear the law or retribution, but because they respect themselves and each other. Let's get back to the old-fashioned concept of raising children to be productive adults and solid citizens.