LEGALIZATION OF DRUGS SUGGESTED FOR MADISON

It's time for Madison public leaders to take a good, hard look at legalizing
drugs, says a longtime community activist and member of the city's Police
and Safety Review Board.

"I want to know if we're willing to look into all the resources that go into
the arrest and incarceration of drug abusers, and if we're willing to have a
discussion about whether we should legalize drugs and deal with the
addictions," Connie Ferris Bailey said.

Such a topic is too politically risky for elected officials -- unless the
community clearly backs it, Bailey said.

Bailey was married to a top law official, the late Dane County Sheriff Bill
Ferris. She has long been involved in community corrections through
Operation Fresh Start, the home -building program that trains and employs
young offenders assigned by the courts.

Two city officials present said they would welcome such a discussion.

Mayoral aide Enis Ragland said that current law more severely punishes
people of color because penalties are stricter for crack cocaine offenses
than powder cocaine.

"That has to change," he said. "We're filling prisons instead of providing
treatment."

South side police commander Capt. Noble Wray said that while police efforts
focus on enforcement, "I think you'll find that everyone in the Madison
Police Department is interested in that dialogue. We're all for long-term
solutions."