DRUG ARRESTS IN STATE ROSE SLIGHTLY IN '97, REPORT SAYS

Drug arrests in Wisconsin increased by less than 1% in the first six months
of 1997 compared with the previous year -- the lowest increase in the last
five years, according to a report released Wednesday.

There were 10,782 drug arrests between January and July last year, compared
with 10,698 arrests in 1996, the report says.

"We've had year after year of very steady increases," said Tom Eversen,
manager of the Office of Justice Assistance's state crime reporting
program. "At least for the first half of last year, that increase was
virtually eliminated."

The state Office of Justice Assistance report notes that arrests for the
sale of drugs dropped for adults and juveniles, while drug possession
offenses were on the upswing.

Total arrests for the sale of drugs dropped 15.5%, while drug possession
arrests went up 6.2%.

A possible explanation for the decrease in arrests of drug dealers is the
cooperation between federal, state and local law enforcement agencies over
the last five years, said Kelly Kennedy, a spokesman for state Attorney
General Jim Doyle.

"Today's drug crisis in Chicago typically comes later to Wisconsin, so it
helps to stay ahead of the game," Kennedy said.

Statewide statistics show most arrests for both possession and sale of
drugs were for marijuana, with opium and cocaine-based drugs, such as crack
and heroin, in second place.

However, one police official said crack, which can be purchased for as
little as $20, is more of a problem than marijuana.

"We're concentrating our efforts on crack because that's the most prevalent
drug we're finding in our city," said Janesville police Sgt. Greg Gibbs,
who said he has seen an increase in crack use. "It's cheaper than the old
powder cocaine."

A disturbing trend in Dane County is a hefty increase in firearms
confiscated during drug arrests, said Sgt. Mark Twombly, of the Dane County
Narcotics and Gang Task Force. Officers confiscated six firearms during
drug arrests in 1996 while 35 firearms were confiscated during 1997.

"People on drugs are not the most stable and rational, (and) to have easy
access to weapons spells disaster," Twombly said.