La Crosse asst. police chief gives his opinion on dealing with drug problem

Abraham was in WIZM studio Wednesday

Much has been made about an epidemic of drugs in La Crosse. 

But what’s to be done?

That question was brought up to La Crosse assistant police chief Rob Abraham in the WIZM studio Wednesday afternoon.

“You’re asking a law-and-order guy, so my answer will be different than someone more liberal,” Abraham said, “than someone that wants to hug the drug dealers, and coddle them, and send them to program after program.”

The community has pondered the drug epidemic for months, especially when it comes to the heroin and meth surge. 

Nothing is simple, Abraham conceded. But he believes the La Crosse area needs to have a new reputation against drug dealers, not a haven for them.

“When we start sending those kind of messages that, ‘When you come to La Crosse and you deal drugs, you’re going to go to prison,'” Abraham said, “That’s not a bad message, I think, to be out there.”

Abraham doesn’t have a problem with that plan of action. He’s not sure many would.

“If you’re dealing drugs, if you’re dealing heroin in this community,” Abraham said, “I don’t think anyone in this community would really be offended if the judge sent them to prison.

“I don’t think the vast majority of people in this county are going to be disappointed to see those people go to prison, and go to prison for a long time.”

Abraham did say he also believes treatment and diversion programs are helpful for addicts, but for dealers, he had less tolerance for.