Guest View: THINK SMOKING MARIJUANA IS NO BIG DEAL? THINK AGAIN

Current discussions relative to making first-offense marijuana possession a
local ordinance violation may be sending confusing messages regarding the
dangers of illicit drugs. Comparisons between first-time driving while
intoxicated violations and "smoking a joint at home" depict marijuana as a
relatively safe drug. So safe, in fact, that the decriminalization of
first-time marijuana use in the city of Onalaska has seemingly had little
or no effect on that city or the Coulee Region. These assertions, which
pertain to marijuana use, address the demand side of the illicit drug
problem equation and tend to ignore the supply side of the equation.

Marijuana, according to the Wisconsin Department of Justice, is
consistently the most abused illicit drug in our society. In order for
local recreational drug users to smoke marijuana in their houses or
elsewhere, for that matter, an elaborate illegal enterprise must exist.

If the marijuana is high grade Colombian Gold, the Colombian drug cartel is
involved. While the recreational drug user may not intend to invest in this
international drug economy, every dollar spent purchasing those weekend
escapes is ultimately fueling a mammoth and destructive system that depends
on our drug dollars to survive.

According to former IRS Agent Mike McDonald "They generate those dollar
that in Colombia and Mexico are turned into power, turned into extortion,
turned into homicides, and expanding criminal enterprises."

The 2001 Wisconsin Drug Threat Assessment Report indicates that Mexican
drug trafficking organizations ship most of the cocaine, marijuana and
methamphetamine into the state. According to the report, organized street
gangs such as the Gangster Disciples, Vice Lords, and Latin Kings control
the distribution and retail sales of marijuana throughout the state.
Violent crime associated with street gangs, while declining in some major
urban areas, is increasing in suburban and rural areas of the state as
these gangs expand their drug markets. Drug arrests have increased
substantially, indicating a rise in crime and drug abuse throughout
Wisconsin. From 1986 to 1998, Wisconsin's total drug arrests rose
approximately 220 percent.

While we are told that all's well in the city of Onalaska where
recreational marijuana users may receive a municipal citation, all is not
well in the city of La Crosse! The demand created by these illegal
marijuana users is being met by the illegal and organized drug supply
enterprise.

During the first five months of this year alone, there have been 21 cases
in which adult individuals have been charged with delivery or possession
with intent to deliver marijuana. In other words, drug dealers, and, at the
same time, three juveniles were similarly charged. Gang members and drug
dealers are being attracted to our community where some residents are
willing to pay higher than average rates for illegal drugs. These drug
dealers bring with them extensive criminal histories and are being found in
the possession of record amounts of marijuana and firearms.

La Crosse police officers and investigators are meeting this demand by
making record numbers of arrests for both possession and drug dealing. Our
officers have received extensive training regarding the dangers of drug
interdiction stops and daily place themselves in harm's way in an effort to
keep this community safe.

Illegal drug activity clearly conforms to a supply-and-demand equation. The
recent Compass 2 study conducted by the Coulee Region United Way and the
Project RENEW team identified substance abuse as a major concern of
residents in the region.

Many institutions and individuals including law enforcement are working on
the demand side of the equation providing education and rehabilitation.
According to the most recent national household survey based on a sample of
67,000 individuals, these efforts seem to be having a positive effect,
albeit a small one. The study showed a 26 percent drop in marijuana use
during 1997-1999 for 12-17 year olds. Decriminalizing first-time marijuana
use may send the wrong message to our area youth who are participating in
the DARE program and the many other local anti-drug efforts.

Before we consider tweaking the supply-and-demand equation, I would urge
local officials to consider the potential consequences of decriminalizing
any form of marijuana use which, in effect, tends to facilitate the demand
for marijuana. Lessening the penalties for marijuana use clearly lessens
any deterrent effect the current law may have.

We must keep in mind that the abuse of alcohol, tobacco and illicit drugs
is the nation's number one health problem. Marijuana has been recognized as
the gateway drug to increased illegal substance abuse. Illegal substance
abuse is having a devastating effect on our nation and the Coulee Region.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice Federal Bureau of
Investigation, 35 police officers were killed in drug-related matters
between 1990 and 1999, not to mention the thousands of law enforcement
officers who were assaulted.

Clearly, as long as marijuana is illegal in this nation and recent Supreme
Court decisions suggest it will remain so, the war on drugs will go on. If
we are concerned locally that driving while intoxicated is more dangerous
to society than marijuana use, perhaps we should consider increasing the
penalties for drunk driving rather than reducing the penalties for
marijuana use.

The illegal drug supply-and-demand equation contains serious consequences
for our community. I would urge local leaders to assure that any efforts to
tweak the illicit marijuana equation are not based on budgets or for the
purposes of expediency, but rather with the best interests of the community
in mind.