To the Editors of the Rensselaer Republican:

I'm writing about: "Program DARES' to save lives" (12-19-07).

Common sense tells us that the DARE program should deter our youth from using illegal drugs. But it doesn't. DARE graduates are more likely to use illegal drugs--not less.

Common sense tells us that the Earth is the center of the universe and our solar system. But it's not.

Common sense tells us that prohibiting a product should substantially reduce the use of the product that's prohibited. Actually, prohibition tends to substantially increase the desire for the product that's prohibited.

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Several Interested To Be Executive For Task Force

CROWN POINT - A high-ranking area FBI agent has applied to head a local law enforcement agency that pumps $3 million annually into the area's war on drugs.

FBI Supervisory Special Agent Mark Becker said Monday he has applied to become executive director of the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area task force.

Becker said he has heard others, including at least one well-known political figure, intend to apply for the job.

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The operators of a newly opened methadone clinic filed a federal lawsuit today claiming that Clark County commissioners are discriminating against their patients by investigating clinic operations and seeking an injunction that could shut down the business.

The suit filed in U.S. District Court in Indianapolis came a day after the commissioners, citing traffic congestion outside the clinic on the day it opened Dec. 12, filed a lawsuit in the county Circuit Court asking that the clinic be closed until it can prove it operates safely.

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RENSSELAER -- Van Rensselaer Elementary fifth grade students were honored yesterday for the achievements they have made in the D.A.R.E. program over the last nine weeks.

This year millions of school children around the world will benefit from Drug Abuse Resistance Education, (D.A.R.E.) the highly acclaimed program that gives kids the skills they need to avoid involvement in drugs, gangs and violence.

"I like the D.A.R.E. program because it puts a uniformed officer in the classroom," said Sheriff Orville Perry. "This builds a good rapport."

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Officer Steve Coleman, who joined the Harrison County Sheriff's Dept. earlier this year, is attempting to resurrect a K-9 program, starting off with a fundraising drive to acquire a new dog at a cost of about $6,500. Coleman, who is seeking donations from businesses as well as individuals, says getting a drug-sniffing dog is the next step in the local war on drugs.

"Harrison County is one of the top (counties) in the state in (methamphetamine) manufacture and it's an epidemic," Coleman said. "We need to do something about it and need the tools to get things done."

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Indiana has seen some positive changes in the habits of young people in recent years, but other data show youth are engaging in behaviors that could result in injury or illness, according to the 2007 Youth Risk Behavior Survey.

The Youth Risk Behavior Survey monitors health risks and behaviors among Indiana youth in grades 9 through 12 in six categories: alcohol and other drug use, nutrition and weight, physical activity, sexual behavior, tobacco use, and violence and injuries.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention these health risks and behaviors are related to the leading causes of death and illness among both youth and adults.

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It was heartbreaking to read about Richie Heath in The Herald Bulletin on Dec. 2. Richie, 17, popped five methadone pills, impatient for the buzz that would let him escape reality for a while.

The escape became permanent, and Richie was another victim of drugs.

Drugs are a scourge in Madison County, where the annual number of overdose deaths doubled from 2001 to 2005, according to the Indiana State Department of Health. Thirty-four people died from such overdoses in the last year of the period. Deaths like Richie's are unnecessary and preventable, but it takes all of us to bring the epidemic under control.

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Tippecanoe County sheriff's deputy Jon Lendermon and his new dog, Marco, have been on dozens of calls since the Dutch shepherd joined the force in mid-October.

Marco, trained in narcotics detection, tracking and apprehension, has been made available to the Lafayette and West Lafayette police departments and even to help search for a robbery suspect in Fountain County.

"We've now got a bomb dog and four other canines," Lendermon said of the sheriff's department. "That makes one of us available 24/7."

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TERRE HAUTE -- During a recent court proceeding, the judge asked an offender if she had anything else to report.

The young woman smiled shyly, saying, "I took my GED test."

The judge, smiling, said, "My, you have had a lot of good news today -- I think that deserves some popcorn."

Several chuckles could be heard through the room, but Judge Barbara Brugnaux wasn't kidding. Reaching across to her clerk, the judge took an unopened pack of microwave popcorn and handed it down from her platform to the young woman, saying, "Here you go. Keep up the good work. You're free to go."

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TERRE HAUTE -- Much of the behind-the-scenes work of the 11-year-old Vigo County Drug Court happens across the street from the courthouse - -- at the Community Corrections building -- where lab technicians collect and process hundreds of drug screens each week.

Drug court participants attend regular one-on-one meetings with caseworkers, group meetings focused on addiction and their regular court appearances -- but one of the primary elements of drug court is testing.

In addition to Judge Barbara Brugnaux, who presides over drug court each week, the staff includes Paul Southwick, coordinator of the drug court and case manager, and Eve Fears, a case manager.

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Rate Of Overdose Deaths In County More Than Double Averages For State, Nation

ALEXANDRIA -- Fentanyl, propoxyphene, alprazolam, methadone.

These are the names of prescription painkillers and medications, but they're also some of the drugs that have caused an uptick in the number of overdose deaths in Madison County -- more than double the state and national averages.

"It's been really bad," said Elwood Police Lt. Jason Brizendine, a member of the Madison County Drug Task Force. "I want people to wake up. I know not all of them will, but I'd wish they'd realize what's happening to their friends."

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At Issue Is Where The Drug Task Force Should Deposit Cash And The Proceeds From The Sale Of Other Property Seized From Drug Dealers.

MUNCIE -- The Muncie-Delaware County Drug Task Force is playing a game of keep away that uses money instead of a ball, and the state of Indiana is the monkey in the middle.

Going back to at least 1999, the DTF has ignored a state law requiring cash and proceeds from the sale of other property seized from drug dealers to be deposited in the general fund of the governmental unit employing the DTF officers, according to the State Board of Accounts.

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Washington, D.C. - Congressman Pete Visclosky announced that legislation signed into law by the President includes $800,000 for anti-drug programs in Northwest Indiana.

As part of his efforts to fight and prevent crime in Northwest Indiana, Visclosky secured the funding for Indiana National Guard's Drug Demand Reduction Program, which will provide support to several drug-prevention programs for area students in Northwest Indiana.

"The Drug Demand Reduction Program offers educational programs to prevent Northwest Indiana students from using drugs, which is a critical first step in reducing drug use and crime in our area," said Visclosky. "This funding is a much-needed investment in our community, our children, and our quality of life."

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FRANKFORT -- The anti-drug program in this city is off to a steady start.

Frankfort Police Sgt. Wes Hickson estimates that parents have bought about 200 of the alcohol and marijuana tests that the department began selling in October.

The tests, which are available for $2 each, let parents know in minutes if their son or daughter used alcohol the night before or marijuana days earlier.

They are part of the Law Enforcement Against Drugs, or LEAD, program and are intended to give parents a tool to fight substance abuse in their own families without calling the police.

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Plants Were for His Wife's Pain, a Local Man Contends. Police Say Indiana Doesn't Allow Medical Use.

MUNCIE -- The owners of a Muncie business, arrested and charged with marijuana possession, said Wednesday that they grew the plant in their rural Henry County home for medicinal purposes.

Police officers and prosecutors -- besides noting that Indiana law does not allow marijuana use for medical purposes -- say they've never heard that defense used before.

"We're going to plead not guilty, and we'll take it to the Supreme Court if we need to," said Jeffrey L. Johnson.

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I personally believe that there should be a requirement that every politician who runs for public office must have smoked pot at some point. Even if that experience doesn't make the politician want to legalize it, he or she will at least realize how dangerous it isn't.

My position on this issue was only strengthened this week after watching a CNN video of Mitt Romney, in typical 2008 Republican front-runner style, dismiss a multiple sclerosis sufferer advocating that medical marijuana arrests be stopped. The MS sufferer caught Romney on camera and explained to him that, although he is against legalizing marijuana, the smoked form of the drug is the only pain reliever for his lifelong illness that he can use without getting sick.

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A police search of the halls and parking lots at Twin Lakes High School turned up nothing Wednesday. And that's a good thing say both police and school administrators of the random sweep for drugs.

"I look at it as a positive," said Monticello Police Chief Jim Reynolds, whose department partnered with law enforcement agencies from White, Carroll and Cass counties to perform the searches. "At least they're not bringing it to school, as far as we can tell."

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Indictment: Shakedown Occurred at Traffic Stop.

SOUTH BEND -- A former South Bend police officer has admitted to extorting drugs and money during a traffic stop in 2005.

Haven Freeman, 31, pleaded guilty to a charge of using his official position to unlawfully demand property from a person and also to possession of heroin with intent to distribute.

He entered into the plea agreement with the government rather than go on trial this week.

A federal grand jury indicted Freeman in March on three counts.

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Porter County substance abuse agencies could be getting some grant funding early this year.

If the auditor's office can print checks early, the Porter County Substance Abuse Council may disperse $168,849,60 to 34 organizations and police departments to work on substance abuse problems at its Sept. 13 meeting, Sharon Cawood of the Substance Abuse Council said.

Usually, the Substance Abuse Council does it in October, the end of the fiscal year.

That's grants from $520 to $10,000 for groups working in education, treatment or the justice aspect of substance abuse.

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The state police lieutenant looking into federal criticisms about finances at the Lake County High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area program is challenging federal drug officials' assertions he has begun a "criminal investigation" into the agency.

In a letter this week to Lake County HIDTA chairman and acting U.S. Attorney David Capp, Scott Burns, deputy director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, said he had "been informed, since our meeting, that the Indiana State Police have commenced a criminal investigation related to HIDTA funds."

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