Pubdate: Mon, 14 May 2001 Source: La Crosse Tribune (WI) Website: http://www.lacrossetribune.com/ Address: 401 N. Third Street, La Crosse, WI 54601-3281 Contact: 2001, The La Crosse Tribune Fax: 608-782-9723 A USEFUL DEBATE OVER ILLEGAL DRUG POLICIES Here's an interesting parallel. At the time that La Crosse judges are considering changing the way they deal with first-offender marijuana users, a similar debate is going on nationally. The trigger for this debate is the selection by President George W. Bush of John P. Walters to be the federal "drug czar." Walters advocates jail time coupled with mandatory drug treatment. He is being criticized by those who seek treatment rather than jail time. And, like similar national debates over energy policy or flooding, the argument is in danger of getting bogged down in needless "either or" rhetoric, rather than recognize that there is a place for a variety of strategies. Walters, who previously ran anti-drug programs in the Department of Education, has advocated tough prison sentences for violent felons, repeat offenders and marijuana smugglers. But he has expressed more lenience toward first-time offenders. How nuanced his approach will turn out to be remains to be seen. Former Gov. Tommy Thompson, now Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, has defended Walters. Meanwhile, in La Crosse, there is also a drug debate going on. In an attempt to take a different approach, which might reduce the jail population, judges here have suggested changing first-time marijuana possession from a misdemeanor crime to a county ordinance violation. The goal is to emphasize treatment and a fine rather than jail time. And that makes sense, given the growing jail population and the need for more jail space. Onalaska already treats first-time marijuana use as an ordinance violation, and La Crosse is considering it. District Attorney Scott Horne does not like the idea of going to an ordinance violation. He favors charging the individuals and then expunging their records after successful completion of a treatment program. Either way, we can keep people out of jail and keep them geared toward treatment. The federal debate will continue. Bush has asked Thompson to make a state-by-state survey of treatment needs and capacity. It is a debate that deserves to be heard on both the national and the local level. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth