Brett, I think a lot of people, myself included, would take more of notice of your defence of convicted drug pushers if they could see you express the same sympathy for their intended victims and their families.
As I have said before, there is far too much emphasis in this country on protecting the "rights" of the perpetrators of crime and squillions of dollars expended on "rehabilitation" and crims being released on early parole so they can offend again and not nearly enough sympathy and support for the victims and their families.
I could turn your argument around and say you would have a totally different opinion if it was your son that had his life ruined, or cut short, by these drug pushers.
We have far too many "bleeding hearts" in this country that sympathise with people committing crimes but don't spend any time thinking about their victims.