Some Say They Don't Always Work And That Talking To Children About Abuse Is The Most Effective Way To Prevent Abuse. (first And Third Editions) Drug Test Kits: Should Parents Use Them? Some Say They Don't Always Work And That Talking To Children About Drug Abuse Is The Most Effective Way To Prevent It. (second Edition) Is keeping your children off drugs as simple as an at-home test kit? A national drugstore chain is promoting just that. But a Dane County doctor and others are cautioning parents that the tests don't always work and that talking to children about drugs is still the most effective way to prevent abuse. [continues 907 words]
Council Makes March 14-21 Medical Marijuana Awareness Week Madison's City Council flung itself into a national debate again Tuesday night, passing one resolution supporting gay marriage and another declaring a Medical Marijuana Awareness Week. The Council approved a proposal by Ald. Matt Sloan, 13th District, to urge Gov. Jim Doyle and the state Legislature to repeal "discriminatory marriage laws" and oppose constitutional amendments banning gay marriage. "We know there are thousands of gays and lesbians, many of them in committed families," said Sloan, who is gay. "We own homes, pay taxes and live life in this community. ... These folks are denied the rights that are given to other folks, rights like benefit rights, parenting rights." [continues 417 words]
Charlie is undeniably adorable. He has shiny black fur, entreating dark eyes and an irresistible way of looking pathetic when he wants his head scratched. He barks, whines, drools, begs for dog biscuits and, for all appearances, behaves just like any other almost-six-year-old labrador retriever with a penchant for chew toys and gooey human snacks. He is also the Port Orchard Police Department's most sophisticated weapon in the war on drugs in Kitsap County. Charlie and his handler, Officer Beth Deatherage, make up Port Orchard's first full-time K-9 drug detection unit. Any time any agency in the county needs an area searched for hidden narcotics, Deatherage and Charlie can be called up. Cars, houses, fields, trailers -- Charlie can handle them all. [continues 1665 words]
Law Enforcement Officials, However, Said Sometimes Arrests Are A Necessary Tool Imprisoning drug users won't solve all the problems caused by illegal drugs, experts said Tuesday at a drug policy forum held by Progressive Dane. Law enforcement officers in the audience agreed but said arresting people for drug possession is sometimes necessary. "Just because enforcement alone is not the answer, I don't believe the solution is to not have enforcement," said Lt. Brian Ackeret, head of the Dane County Narcotics and Gang Task Force. [continues 285 words]
