There is a drug called Depo-Provera that acts as a %u201Cchemical castration%u201D on men. Six states have already experimented with using this drug as a form of therapy for sexual offenders, most notably pedophiles. In California, it may be used as the form of treatment in a first offense. It%u2019s not permanent; taking the pills daily is necessary in order for it to work. However, that can be considered a good thing because the drugs detractors have less clout with a %u2018cruel and unusual punishment%u2019 case, as they would with physical castration. I believe that this is a very necessary form of treatment for sexual offenders and is a humane way to prevent these people from becoming multiple offenders. Also, sexual offenders would otherwise only get a few years in jail, depending on the severity of the case. Many agree that the only way, other than castration, to prevent sexual offenders from becoming repeat offenders (including the offenders themselves) would be to imprison them for life. This drug is an answer to that that would make those people happy and would meet the requirements of therapy for law officials. It%u2019s an important issue and this petition is for all states to begin using this form of treatment, and to hopefully eventually spread it around the world.
