SHAWANO, WI (WTAQ)- Shawano County Sheriff Adam Bieber says it is time to take a different approach to drug use and opioid abuse.
The comments were made during a round table discussion that county had with Representative Gary Tauchen and Wisconsin Attorney General Brad Schimel.
Sheriff Bieber says Shawano County is no different when it comes to problems stemming from drug use.
“Every county in the state has issue with opioids, drug use and mental health issues,” Bieber says. “In Shawano County most of the thefts and robberies that we see are related to drug use.”
During the round table discussion, County officials addressed the issues they see.
“We always talk about counseling for these folks, locking them up and jail time,” Bieber said. “These are all steps that are reactive.”
Bieber says a reactive approach is not the best way to go.
“I would rather focus on preventative measures so that people never have to get into that cycle of addiction.”
Bieber says that starts at home.
“My focus as a sheriff is getting back to the family. We need to make sure that families are staying together, and it is important for us as a society to make sure that families are supported.”
Bieber says that includes helping parents get the tools needed to raise their kids.
“We used to have programs in the county that would help parents with their kids. Churches used to talk about ways to raise kids, but too many have dropped the ball.”
He said it also could include the government passing legislation that would limit the violence that kids are exposed to through media.
“We don’t have shows like Mr. Rogers on anymore.”
Bieber says he turns to a quote from former President Teddy Roosevelt.
“To educate a man in mind and not in morals is to educate a menace to society”
Bieber says he truly believe that.
