Proposed Registry Would Pinpoint Convicted Drug Dealers

Proposed Registry Would Pinpoint Convicted Drug Dealers

Wendy Neuberger

Wisconsin is one of three states working to get a first-ever online registry for convicted drug dealers. It would be similar to the current sex offender website, to inform people where these former drug dealers are now living.
It's called a drug-lord registry. A place for parents and anyone to go to find out if a convicted drug dealer is living near them.
Rep. Scott Suder, a Republican from the 69th Assembly District, is proposing the bill and says families deserve to know this information in case former convicts get back into their old ways.
"I think it's fair because if you have a serious offender that has committed a major meth crime, the chances are likely that individuals may be re-offend, and frankly, I think the community has a right to know if an individual has moved into their community, is living near their children, who has committed that type of serious offense," he says.
The drug-lord registry would show a map like the one on Wisconsin's mapsexoffenders. Com, taking you street by street in your area, giving specific addresses of where former dealers are now living.
But one drug and alcohol treatment director says this online registry could hurt those who are in recovery working to straighten out their lives.
"They're developing acquaintances, friends and all of a sudden they have a new reputation because of their old behavior," says Dale Christensen. "That developing community support just disintegrates."
Christensen, of North Central Health Care, says if the website becomes a reality, the focus of their recovery counseling sessions will shift dramatically.
"How to deal with the shame, how to deal with members of the community that are shunning them because of their knowledge of the registry."
He says that could also mean a longer recovery time, but there is one thing both will agree on in deciding whether to start this website.
"I don't think it needs to be measured in terms of what's fair to the former dealer. What the community needs to look at is what is most protective to the community at-large," Christensen says.
Suder says the bill is being drafted right now, hopefully to be passed in January.