TRY CARROTS, YES, BUT FIRST GET THEIR ATTENTION

There's an old story about a farmer who was asked by a guest how the
farm's mule was induced to do what the farmer wanted. "He likes
carrots, and I give him lots of carrots," the farmer said.

The next day, the visitor and the farmer approached the mule. The
farmer picked up a large piece of wood and walloped the mule on the
side of the head.

"What was that about?" asked the visitor. "I thought you used
carrots."

"I do," answered the farmer. "But I have to get his attention
first."

Brookfield Municipal Judge Richard J. Steinberg is trying a similar
approach with drug users. Anyone cited for drug-related violations has
to appear in court and, if convicted, pay a fine as high as $2,000.
Previously, those caught with marijuana or drug paraphernalia had been
issued a citation much like a traffic ticket. They might pay fines as
low as $269 and receive no other penalty or counseling.

"I'm concerned about the carefree and irresponsible attitudes," said
Steinberg. "I know these drugs are expensive, so I tell them, 'If you
can afford to buy that stuff, you can afford to pay that fine.' "

Right on the money. Other municipal judges would do their communities
a real service by following Steinberg's example.

To some people, $269 is pocket change, and drug users certainly pay
more than that to indulge in their illegal and dangerous habits. They
should be paying fines that are more in line with the seriousness of
their crimes.

You see, some people still don't get it. They still think that a
little marijuana use is OK; that it won't hurt anyone; that it's a
victimless crime. It's the same kind of thinking that excuses a few
beers before hitting the road.

But drugs and alcohol do hurt. They hurt the person who uses them;
they hurt the friends and families of drug users; they hurt complete
strangers who become victims of a drug-or alcohol-induced lapse of
judgment.

Certainly, drug users need the carrots of educational and counseling
programs that can turn them away from the dangerous path they are walking.
But you may have to get their attention first.