Thomas E. Trent v. United States

This case presents another example of the unfortunate impact of present narcotics statutes on mere addicts, see my concurring opinion in Hawkins v. United States, No. 15514, - U.S.App.D.C. -, F.2d -; and once again raises very serious questions regarding the methods employed by the Federal Bureau of Narcotics in enforcing these statutes.1

Although the narcotics laws are, in Congress’ own view, primarily designed to deter and punish professional narcotics traffickers who prey upon the weak and defenseless,2 they wreak their stiff vengeance upon both these leeches and their victims. Congress…