Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Author: Meg Jones of the Journal Sentinel Pubdate: Thu, 29 Jan 1998 Contact: Fax: (414) 224-8280 Website: http://www.jsonline.com/ DRUG ARRESTS IN STATE ROSE SLIGHTLY IN '97, REPORT SAYS Drug arrests in Wisconsin increased by less than 1% in the first six months of 1997 compared with the previous year -- the lowest increase in the last five years, according to a report released Wednesday. There were 10,782 drug arrests between January and July last year, compared with 10,698 arrests in 1996, the report says. "We've had year after year of very steady increases," said Tom Eversen, manager of the Office of Justice Assistance's state crime reporting program. "At least for the first half of last year, that increase was virtually eliminated." The state Office of Justice Assistance report notes that arrests for the sale of drugs dropped for adults and juveniles, while drug possession offenses were on the upswing. Total arrests for the sale of drugs dropped 15.5%, while drug possession arrests went up 6.2%. A possible explanation for the decrease in arrests of drug dealers is the cooperation between federal, state and local law enforcement agencies over the last five years, said Kelly Kennedy, a spokesman for state Attorney General Jim Doyle. "Today's drug crisis in Chicago typically comes later to Wisconsin, so it helps to stay ahead of the game," Kennedy said. Statewide statistics show most arrests for both possession and sale of drugs were for marijuana, with opium and cocaine-based drugs, such as crack and heroin, in second place. However, one police official said crack, which can be purchased for as little as $20, is more of a problem than marijuana. "We're concentrating our efforts on crack because that's the most prevalent drug we're finding in our city," said Janesville police Sgt. Greg Gibbs, who said he has seen an increase in crack use. "It's cheaper than the old powder cocaine." A disturbing trend in Dane County is a hefty increase in firearms confiscated during drug arrests, said Sgt. Mark Twombly, of the Dane County Narcotics and Gang Task Force. Officers confiscated six firearms during drug arrests in 1996 while 35 firearms were confiscated during 1997. "People on drugs are not the most stable and rational, (and) to have easy access to weapons spells disaster," Twombly said.