I like the idea and the effort by the law enforcement in trying to actually help out these dealers. However, more steps need to be taken. Second chances are nice, but what needs to be fixed is the reasons why these dealers are forced to sell crack and other dangerous drugs. It is all about MONEY! Everyone knows this. I think some inner city job programs in coalition with this "hug-a-thug" program would work wonders and benefit everyone. Yes, governmental job programs = tax payers money, but extra law enforcement, and packing every convicted nonviolent drug user or dealer into our prison systems costs even more! Obviously, the way of the past has not worked and will NEVER work. The "War on Drugs" will not be won by the DEA and the US Gov. All they can hope for is to minimize use and drug related violence ,and this seems like the perfect method! Every dealer they take off the streets, another fills the spot. Time for a change.

And in regards to the comment by Ms. Richards. Notice it's Ms. Richards and not Mrs. Richards. It is really a shame that a woman of her power and intellect cannot think outside the box and realize that the current system is flawed. There will always be a large amount of drug use in the US and people willing to deal them. It is now obvious that there is not enough room to store these criminals in prisons (especially non-violent ones. It doen't take a rocket scientist to figure this out. Explosive Mango is entirely correct, well said.

I will cherish the day when law enforcement personnel treat criminal offenders with respect and have faith in these drug sticken communities. Maybe for once, the "good guys" will actually be perceived that way and develop a better relationship with these communities. When this happens, crime and violence, I think, will lessen and we will be able to set good examples to the younger children, who in the past system, grow up to become these violent drug offenders. I hope this day comes soon.