My name is Rae and I'm facing the frightening prospect of spending 90-120 months in prison for trafficking opioid or herion. This is my first felony and I'm a record level 1. My case is underway in a small town - Surry County, where the local justice system does not believe in second chances, particularly concerning fentanyl cases with one judge and district attorney, Tim Watson, at the helm. 

I steadfastly believe that a potential 7 and a half years imprisonment term is too severe for my offense, especially considering I have no prior felonies. The impact of drug laws in Surry County is far-reaching, with the criminal justice approach towards fentanyl being particularly stringent. First-time offenders like me become ensnared in a system that often perpetuates cycles of crime and punishment, rather than rehabilitation and reintegration.

Surprisingly, our county's policies starkly contrast the U.S.'s overall trend towards leniency for first-time drug offenders. According to the National Institute of Justice, several states are reforming their drug laws to provide alternatives to incarceration for first-time offenders, based on the premise that prevention and treatment, not punishment, are more cost-effective ways of addressing drug addiction and crime (National Institute of Justice, 2016).

We must enact change. We must advocate for a justice system that is balanced and fair, that promotes both accountability and potential for redemption. This petition calls upon the local administration of Surry County - DA Tim Watson and presiding judge - to reconsider and reform the harsh sentencing laws for first-time fentanyl trafficking offenders. Let's create a system that considers all circumstances and promotes just penalties. Please, sign this petition and stand with me — together, we can make a difference.