DRUG WAR CASUALTIES?

You don't have to spend much time around Madison fire stations to hear
stories of the heroism of Fire Lt. Terry Rice and firefighter Mike Merkle.

With a combined record of 38 years of service, Rice and Merkle have
accumulated accolades that go only to the best of those who pledge to
protect and serve our community. These men have rescued our grandmothers
and grandfathers from burning buildings; they have willingly entered
disaster scenes where our brothers and sisters have been trapped; they have
risked their lives to save our lives.

"They're two of the best, most respected firefighters we've had on the
job,'' says Fire Lt. Mike Dibble.

Now the jobs of Rice and Merkle are on the line. Both men have pleaded
guilty to counts of misdemeanor cocaine possession.

Like firefighters who drink too much, Rice and Merkle stepped over a line
they knew better than to cross.

But let's be clear about a few things:

* Rice and Merkle have stellar work histories. Their personnel reviews
detail top-flight service. They are broadly respected on the force, to the
extent that Assistant Chief Carl Saxe says, "We had absolutely no reason
from the field to know that this (the cocaine possession) was happening.
... Everyone around here is just in a sense of disbelief.''

* Investigators, who observed both men for weeks, say there is no reason to
believe they used illegal or legal drugs while on the job.

* Firefighters Local 311 President Joe Conway says Merkle volunteered for
and passed a drug test when the investigation came to light. Conway, a
savvy, no-nonsense public servant, says both men have told him that they
are not drug users, and he adds, "I stand by their answers.''

Noting that the department has shown tolerance toward firefighters who have
made mistakes in their personal lives, Conway says, "I'm hoping (Fire Chief
Debra Amesqua) takes a prudent course of action, and weighs what (Rice and
Merkle) did against what others have done.''

Conway is right.

Based on the evidence so far provided, Rice and Merkle need not be removed
from the force. Each has committed a misdemeanor offense that merits
sanctions -- perhaps suspension and even demotion.

But the only thing that their convictions should tell Fire Department
officials is that, like a lot of people in high-stress jobs, these guys may
have substance abuse problems. For that, workers deserve treatment, not
removal.

Amesqua leans toward a hard-line response, saying, "There is no place in
the Madison Fire Department for those who break the law, neglect their duty
and disgrace the uniform.''

That's a good soundbite, but it doesn't recognize the reality that people
who risk their lives to protect the community sometimes engage in substance
abuse. Nor does it recognize the fact that, in the wake of a nasty
controversy regarding her competence, Amesqua continues to serve as fire
chief because this community gave her a second chance.

In these days of "drug war'' hysteria, second chances are hard to come by.
As a result, America suffers -- as advocates of drug-law reform, such as
New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson and U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin, D-Madison, have
noted. Choosing punishment over treatment has bloated prison populations,
diverted public safety resources from necessary duties, ruined lives, and
cost communities the contributions of people whose stumbles should be
viewed as mistakes, not crimes.

Terry Rice and Mike Merkle have devoted most of their adult lives to
serving Madison. They have served us well. It's true they have erred. But
they do not deserve to become drug war casualties.