State of South Dakota secondary Archives: on Drugs
Billie Sutton:
We're not going to incarcerate our way out of this
Candidates competing for the governor's office pointed to growing drug crime as a significant problem in South Dakota and laid out plans to address it in interviews with the Argus Leader.Democratic State Sen. Billie Sutton said the next governor
needs to explore the reasons South Dakotans use drugs and aim to combat them. "We're not going to incarcerate our way out of this. We have to get to the root problem, why are people turning to drugs?"
Sutton said. "Why are they feeling like there's no hope for their future and get them the help to be a productive citizen."
Combined, drug offenses and drug equipment offenses increased 222% over the last decade. The state's population grew
8% over that period, per estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau. And in some instances, those drug violations fueled a rise in violent crime, law enforcement officials said.
Source: Argus Leader on 2018 South Dakota Gubernatorial race
May 14, 2018
Dennis Daugaard:
More funding for drug courts; a bargain compared to prison
South Dakota has fewer drug courts than any other state in the country, but the drug courts we do have produce impressive results. Fewer than 20% of the graduates of South Dakota drug courts and DUI courts over the last five years have committed new
felonies. That is a remarkable success rate, because these offenders are repeat offenders. They are not first-time law-breakers who simply need a wake-up call. These are usually people with serious addictions to drugs or alcohol who have committed a
number of crimes in recent years. Getting 80% of them back on the right track is a real success, and my budget contains funding for expansions of two existing alternative courts and adds two more. Drug and DUI courts may be expensive compared to routine
probation, but they are a bargain compared to the costs of imprisonment. By holding offenders more accountable and by giving them one more chance to avoid prison, alternative courts are changing behavior and improving public safety.
Source: South Dakota 2013 State of the State Address
Jan 8, 2013
Dennis Daugaard:
Swift and certain sanctions for drug addicts
Hawaii's HOPE program is a lot like our 24/7 program, but it works with those abusing drugs, rather than alcohol. The system works because of swift and certain sanctions. Each morning, participating offenders must call into an automated drug testing
hotline, which will inform them whether or not they have been selected that day to come in for a drug test. Failing to show for their drug test will trigger automatic jail time. Failing the drug test will trigger automatic jail time. Hawaii has used the
HOPE program on hundreds of meth addicts, and offenders in HOPE have been 55% less likely to be arrested for a new crime. They are 72% less likely to use drugs. Here in South Dakota, we would like to begin this program with one urban pilot project
and one rural pilot project. If these pilots are successful, we can implement the program statewide.
Source: South Dakota 2013 State of the State Address
Jan 8, 2013
Jamie R. Smith:
Recreational marijuana should be legalized in South Dakota
The people of South Dakota voted for the legalization of recreational marijuana and that vote was not only ignored, but impeded by Governor Noem at every turn.
The Governor's office should never use state dollars in order to sue and overturn the will of the people. Recreational marijuana should be legalized in South Dakota.
Source: 2022 South Dakota Governor campaign website SmithForGov.org
Aug 14, 2022
Joel Dykstra:
Require blood testing for drunk driving arrests
Dykstra voted for SB 1 (Bill Passed House, 52-17): Mandatory Bodily Substance Samples in Drunk Driving Arrests:
An Act to provide for the mandatory withdrawal of blood or other bodily substances subsequent to arrest for driving while under the influence [of alcohol or controlled substances].
Source: South Dakota state legislative voting records
Feb 23, 2007
Kristi Noem:
Make medical cannabis program safest, most responsible
I take our citizens' health seriously. I don't make these decisions lightly. Our state's medical cannabis program is one example. It was launched on schedule according to the timeline passed by South Dakota voters. I know there will be some debate
about that program this session. My focus is on making sure South Dakota has the safest, most responsible, and well-run medical cannabis program in the country.
Source: 2022 State of the State Address to South Dakota legislature
Jan 11, 2022
Marty Jackley:
We must explain consequences of legalized marijuana
A group backing two marijuana related ballot questions says they're concerned about the language of Attorney General Jackley's explanations. A spokesperson for the group New Approach South Dakota in passing two ballot questions legalizing recreational
and medicinal marijuana says the language in the summary is unnecessarily strong: words like "trafficking" mischaracterize the intent of the ballot questions.However, Jackley says he is tasked with drafting a 200 word explanation of a ballot
question that's fair and accurate, and that he wanted voters to know of his constitutional concerns of the ballot questions. Jackley says. "We are trying to assist voters in understanding the legal consequence and the effect of the particular measures."
Jackley says there are some confusing and vague provisions in the measures that, if passed, will likely require judicial or legislative clarification. Jackley did not say which provisions those were.
Source: SDPB radio on 2018 South Dakota gubernatorial race
Mar 30, 2017
Marty Jackley:
Double headline - Already Done
[Adam Laxalt, first TV ad]: [photo of mother with young child; Laxalt speaking offscreen]: I was born to a single mom, Michelle. Didn't know my dad growing up at all. I started drinking in Middle School. That continued to accelerate as I got into
High School. [Photo: high school lockers]: I had to go to a treatment facility [subtitle: At age 18, Adam sought treatment to overcome in alcohol addiction]
Trying to maintain sobriety is one of the toughest challenges I've ever faced
[Laxalt speaking to camera]: You start from the bottom rebuild everything
I swore into the Navy JAG Corps in 2004. In 2006 I volunteered to go over to Iraq with an army military police Brigade.
[Narrator speaking over photos]:
Adam Laxalt returned home to Nevada; started a family with his wife Jamie and answered the call of service once again as our attorney general.
[photo: Glass door emblazoned with attorney general Adam Paul Laxalt] ...for the ones who need a champion.
Source: OnTheIssues AdWatch on 2018 South Dakota Gubernatorial race
Mar 20, 2018
Marty Jackley:
Congress has failed us on drugs; keep drug dealers out
Candidates competing for the governor's office pointed to growing drug crime as a significant problem in South Dakota and laid out plans to address it. "The one number that's continually rising is meth, it's drugs," Attorney General Marty Jackley
said. "The one area that Washington failed us on is drugs. We've known for a long time."Jackley said Congress' inaction in passing immigration reform allowed for the country's Southern border to remain accessible for drug dealers. In turn, those drug
dealers made their way to South Dakota and helped fuel the rise in drug offenses.
Jackley touted programs that he'd piloted to help offenders with addiction, including hope and drug courts and education programs. He also pointed to legislation set
to take effect later this year that he said would help lock up drug dealers. "Starting July 1, those laws that are going to keep the drug dealers out of our state will go into force," he said. "And I think we're going to see less and less drugs."
Source: Argus Leader on 2018 South Dakota Gubernatorial race
May 14, 2018
Marty Jackley:
Bolster rehabilitation and mental health programs for drugs
Attorney General Marty Jackley touted programs that he'd piloted to help offenders with addiction, including hope and drug courts and education programs. His Republican opponent, U.S. Rep. Kristi Noem, fired back, saying the state hadn't done enough
in the last decade to help addicted individuals or those with mental illness access treatment. "The prevention and awareness side has been lacking,"
Noem said. "These people are recycling through our courts and through our jails and there needs to be a change made to make sure that doesn't keep happening."
She proposed teaming with nonprofits to bolster rehabilitation and mental health treatment programs across the state.
Source: Argus Leader on 2018 South Dakota Gubernatorial debate
May 14, 2018
Page last updated: Feb 18, 2023