GUBERNATORIAL DEBATE FOCUSES ON SUBSTANCE ABUSE

BURLINGTON -- Most of those vying to become the next governor have
been in many candidate forums around the state. But in an election
dominated by talk of the economy, jobs and the state budget,
Wednesday morning's version stood out for its subject matter.

The forum at the Turning Point Center of Chittenden County was about
substance abuse in Vermont, and candidates fielded questions on
alcohol use, drug addiction and the problem of illegal substances in
prisons during the event, co-hosted by Friends of Recovery Vermont.

The five Democrats -- state Sens. Doug Racine and Susan Bartlett,
Senate President Pro Tem Peter Shumlin, Secretary of State Deborah
Markowitz and former state Sen. Matt Dunne -- all participated in the
forum, as did two independent candidates, Dennis Steele of Kirby and
Em Peyton of Putney.

Lt. Gov. Brian Dubie, the sole Republican in the race, has declined
to participate in nearly all of the forums so far, saying the point
of them is to allow the Democrats to select a candidate. He said he
would participate in several debates after the primary.

Not surprisingly, given Shumlin's recent support of decriminalizing
possession of marijuana, the issue was brought up at the event. But
other Democrats did not agree with Shumlin's position, worrying about
the consequences.

For Dunne, being in support of medical marijuana did not extend to
supporting the legalization of marijuana.

"We have not demonstrated as a society and a state to be able to
handle addiction better connected with legal drugs," he said. "And
before opening up a whole new universe to a new drug that does cause
a problem, we should make sure that we are addressing the drugs that
are legal now."

Markowitz said she was open to looking at the possibility of
decriminalizing possession of small amounts of marijuana.

The state should "treat drug problems as drug problems," Markowitz
added, saying the state needs to reevaluate its current approach.

Young people who get in drug trouble show up first in the court and
police system, Shumlin said.

But Bartlett disagreed when the question came around to
her.

"That's not correct," said Bartlett. "Where they first show up is the
principal's office," she said, asserting that help with those
problems needs to start in the school system.

"The thing that scares me about the discussion of marijuana isn't the
recreational use by adults," Racine said. "What scares me is I hear
stories of 14- and 15-year-olds who are getting access to highly
potent marijuana and are smoking it on their way to school."

Peyton was unreserved in her support of legalization.

"Each of us have a responsibility to our own bodies," Peyton
said.

Candidates were also asked by moderator Peter Mallary whether the
state should consider lowering the drinking age.

"I don't drink," Markowitz said, but she added that she had
conflicting feelings about whether the drinking age should be lowered.

Shumlin said no governor would lower the drinking age because no
governor could afford to.

"I'm not that nuts," he said, pointing out substantial federal
funding cuts to state transportation if the drinking age were to be
lowered.

Steele disagreed.

"I support lowering the drinking age," he said, arguing that sending
young men and women to war before they are legally allowed to have a
drink is not right.

As the forum was winding down, Dubie's absence became a topic of
conversation itself.

"One person who is not here today is my good friend, Brian," Shumlin
said in what has become one of his stock bits.

Asking the audience to join his "Free Brian" campaign, Shumlin
alleged that the Republican National Committee wasn't allowing Dubie
to come to any of the forums.

"How can you run the state if you don't show up," Shumlin
said.

Steele, an Army veteran, picked up on the theme.

"I'm the only one here who can take on the Dubie brothers," Steele
said, looking and pointing at the camera. "The only candidate who's
going to take on Brian Dubie," Steele added. "If you want to win this
war, I'm your candidate."

Dubie campaign manager Corry Bliss said the camera may have been
operated by the Vermont Republican Party, but was not part of his
operation.

"That has nothing to do with our campaign. He is an employee of the
state party and is in no way affiliated, paid for or connected to the
Dubie for governor campaign," he said.