Pubdate: Tue, 09 Sep 2003
Source: Wilmington Morning Star (NC)
Copyright: 2003 Wilmington Morning Star
Contact:  http://www.wilmingtonstar.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/500
Author: Sherry Jones, Staff Writer

PUBLIC SAFETY ISSUES REVOLVE AROUND DRUGS

Drug abuse, domestic violence, traffic and growth are among the
biggest problems facing area law enforcement and community agencies,
representatives said Monday.

Ten representatives of agencies concerned with public safety spoke
during a forum sponsored by WHQR radio.

They were attempting to answer the question of whether Wilmington and
its surrounding communities are safe places to live.

Brunswick County Sheriff Ronald Hewett said drug abuse - and the
crimes associated with such - is taking its toll on Brunswick County
families.

He said he gets at least one call a week from a parent who's concerned
about a child on drugs.

They are afraid their children will steal their money and household
items.

Some parents, the sheriff said, have even said they sleep with their
bedroom doors locked out of fear that their child will harm them
because of drug use.

John Carriker, district attorney for New Hanover and Pender counties,
said the main obstacle when it comes to fighting drug abuse is the
lack of treatment available.

He said 40 percent of the people in prison are there because of
drugs.

He said it's easy to lock up drug abusers, but it's difficult to get
them help.

He specifically pointed to the fact that the Department of Correction
doesn't offer a drug treatment program for female inmates.

Wilmington Police Chief John Cease said he doesn't know any program in
Wilmington for indigent addicts.

Having these services available would take pressure off the jails, he
said.

Meanwhile, City Manager Sterling Cheatham stressed that law
enforcement agencies simply don't have the resources to adequately
deal with drug abuse and other crimes.

New Hanover County Sheriff Sid Causey had a different
perspective.

Having spent 25 years on the street as a narcotics officer, he said he
thinks the characterization is skewed.

"I don't see us as that drug-ridden," Sheriff Causey said.

Other participants in the forum included Doug Campen, director of
safety and security for the N.C. State Port; Angel Funk, a
representative from Domestic Violence Shelter and Services; Richard
James, assistant executive director for the Wilmington Housing
Authority; John Ranalli, community services coordinator for New
Hanover County; and Cecil Willis, chairman of the department of
sociology and criminal justice at the University of North Carolina at
Wilmington.

Jim Leutze, former UNCW chancellor, moderated the event.
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