MARIJUANA AND COCAINE REMAIN DRUGS OF CHOICE

Marijuana And Cocaine Remain Winnebago County's Largest Drug Problems
While New Drug Trends Are Beginning To Emerge.

An analysis of felony drug cases recorded in Winnebago County during
the last five years shows slight growth in presence of methamphetamine
- - or meth - and other drugs in addition to a growing number of
convictions for marijuana- and cocaine-related crimes.

Winnebago County's statistics mirror those of a statewide analysis of
illegal drug threats issued last year by the United States Department
of Justice. The study reports already widespread availability of
marijuana and cocaine and projects growing use and abuse of meth.

State drug enforcement officials said strong efforts are being made to
combat that. In Winnebago County, marijuana made up 61 percent of drug
cases in the last five years. Meth made up only 3 percent.

Mike Myszewski, director of the narcotics enforcement bureau for the
Wisconsin Department of Justice, said while meth seems minor in
comparison, enforcement of the drug has gotten deserved added
attention in recent years.

"Methamphetamine is clearly growing, and we're committed to getting
ahead of the problem and addressing it now," he said.

Winnebago County court records show a combined three convictions for
amphetamines or meth in 1999 and 2000. In the next two years,
convictions jumped to 11 for those drugs.

Marijuana and cocaine cases have been both prevalent and growing. In
Winnebago County, felony-level marijuana and cocaine convictions
nearly doubled from 1999 to 2002, with an increase from 58 cases to
113 total cases last year.

Officials said some of the increase in drug cases might be attributed
to dealers from larger cities tapping into the Fox Valley as a
growing, lucrative market. Authorities said some of the caseloads
might also tie into more aggressive enforcement efforts.

Last year, a regional drug unit covering four local counties went
under the supervision of state drug agents. Both local and state
officials said state oversight and the ability to share intelligence
between state and local levels has increased abilities.

Meth enforcement has also increased. State efforts to combat the drug
include a task force that solely concentrates halting meth production
and trafficking.

Winnebago County Circuit Court Judge Robert Haase said educational
components and more treatment options will be necessary to get a firm
grasp on any drug problem.

"People wouldn't be out there making large amounts of money selling
drugs if there wasn't a large demand," he said. "Maybe we do need more
education, because kids aren't getting the message."

Punishment has also been a factor in efforts to combat
drugs.

In Winnebago County from 1999 through 2002, judges sentenced offenders
to prison in about 16 percent of all felony drug cases. A 2001
database outlining Wisconsin's total prison population showed that 14
percent of state inmates were being held on drug-related
convictions.

Beyond the courtrooms, work to increase penalties for drug-related
cases has gained steam. Rep. Gregg Underheim, R-Oshkosh, said the
punishment equation is important.

Underheim last year sponsored legislation to increase penalties for
Ecstasy. While increased penalties might not serve as a deterrent to
the crimes, they do provide more options for authorities seeking to
eliminate drugs in their community, he said.

"Enhanced penalties give district attorneys more tools in the process
of charging and negotiating," he said. "With a stiffer penalty,
low-level dealers or users might be more willing to help police climb
that chain to the higher-level dealers."

Drug offenders were males in nearly 80 percent of Winnebago County's
felony cases since 1999. Of the 435 defendants whoare either convicted
or have pending drug cases in the county since 1999, 22 offenders have
had multiple drug cases filed against them.

Haase said drugs are a multi-faceted problem that requires
multi-faceted efforts. Combating drugs also combats a number of other
problems, he said.

"People call these victimless crimes, but that's absolute nonsense,"
he said. "Families are often victims, and people who have things
stolen for drug money are victims. There are a lot of indirect victims
out there because of drugs."