Local leaders looking for other ways to quell drug epidemic

Kind, Tischer and others met last week

Right now, the only way to solve the drug problem in the area is, apparently, locking up as many dealers and users as possible.

Last week, local authorities, including Dr. Chris Eberlein of the county Heroin Task Force, met with La Crosse Congressman Ron Kind to discuss other ways to stop the drug epidemic in the area. 

Circuit Judge Todd Bjerke handled drug cases for years as an assistant District Attorney. He wants to find ways to prevent drug addicts from showing up in court over and over again.

“In the courts, we always try to look for changing behaviors in people, such as drug addicts,” Bjerke said, “to get them sober and, we do what we can with the resources we have. 

“I think some of the things that have been addressed here today, immediately treating upon contact with them, would be huge.” 

Bjerke says having a hammer over a drug abuser may help change that person’s behavior, but some addicts don’t change until they’re ready to do so.

La Crosse Police Chief Ron Tischer says drug courts and diversion programs could help the area put a lid on meth use.

Tischer says when he worked in eastern Wisconsin, meth wasn’t a problem but he sees many reasons why buying meth has become more popular than making it now.

“It’s cheap,” Tischer said. “It used to be easier to manufacture out here and now it’s cheaper just to buy it already made. 

“It comes from Mexico in large quantities. Why risk blowing yourself up when you can just buy it?”

Kind believes a shortage of resources from the government may be keeping local leaders around the U.S. from fighting the spread of drugs. 

“We’re having a medication database that we can access, so that they can’t go beyond daily or monthly prescription levels,” Kind said, “and get more than what they need, which can lead to ill use of it or black market use.”

Kind says the drug fight is a ‘tremendous strain’ on the personnel and money available to the courts and local police. He supports bills in Congress that will help increase those resources.