Pubdate: Fri, 13 Mar 2009
Source: Wausau Daily Herald (WI)
Copyright: 2009 Wausau Daily Herald
Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/zFWcSrzy
Website: http://www.wausaudailyherald.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1321
Author: Megan Loiselle
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/rehab.htm (Treatment)

JUDGE CANDIDATES DEBATE DRUG POLICY

During the second debate for Marathon County's vacant circuit court
judge seat, the two candidates on Thursday discussed the best way to
fight substance abuse.

Marathon County District Attorney Jill Falstad and private practice
attorney Peter Rotter are competing in the April 7 election to fill
the seat formerly held by Dorothy Bain, who retired in August.

Rotter told the couple dozen people in attendance at the University of
Wisconsin Marathon County that the state needs more programs to
rehabilitate repeat alcohol or drug abuse offenders. States such as
Minnesota have more treatment programs and fewer prisoners, he said.

Falstad described the benefits of programs already in place, saying
the county's court diversion program has provided individual treatment
plans for hundreds of people.

When asked about leniency for repeat drunken drivers, Falstad said she
would like a one-year probation to be enforced after a person's second
offense, rather than after the fourth.

Rotter said the state could make a first drunken driving offense a
felony, but unless people take it more seriously, offenders won't
realize how much trouble they're in until they're caught. Rotter said
he thinks revoking driving privileges has been effective in fighting
underage drinking, but raising the fines might not affect teenagers as
much as their parents, who often shell out the cash for the tickets.

Falstad said alcohol consumption by young people tends to be a red
flag for other issues, and the county's truancy court is the "best
response to offer our young people" because it deals with issues
beyond school.

The candidates agreed treatment is needed for marijuana and other drug
offenses, and Falstad again touted the success of the diversion program.

Kathy Czech, president of the Head Start Board of Directors, said she
came to the debate because she has known both Falstad and Rotter for
years. She said they are both good people, and she agreed that the
attitude toward drinking in Wisconsin should change.
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin