Security, school safety scrutinized at
session
Illinois Attorney Jim Ryan met with local legislators and crime enforcement officials in Champaign on Monday to address drug use on college campuses and other crime prevention issues. The meeting was held among members of a crime task force that included Ryan, candidate for state representative Tom Berns, Champaign County State's Attorney John Piland, Champaign County Sheriff David Madigan and Urbana Chief of Police Eddie Adair. Ryan spoke of the increase in the use of ecstasy, GHB, a date rape drug, and hydrous ammonia, which is being stolen from farms for use in methamphetamine labs throughout Illinois. "It seems no matter our best efforts, we still have a serious drug problem in Illinois," Ryan said. "Which is not to say we haven't made some progress, but we could make some more progress." Adair said the presence of students in the area might be contributing to increased drug use. "I do think (drug use) is a growing problem, primarily because of the University," Adair said. Piland focused on the rise in methamphetamine use and manufacturing in Illinois. "We really can't say that we have a horrible meth problem, but we'd be crazy to say that we won't have a meth problem. It's getting worse, and it's a problem that affects rural areas more then it affects cities." Ryan noted that GHB is increasingly becoming a recreational drug, and cited two recent deaths from ecstasy. He said that legislation is being introduced that would make penalties for drug-related crimes more harsh. He also said that preventative measures should be taken in order to curb drug use, including making schools safer. "One of the best ways to prevent crime is to invest in our children," Ryan said. "If you don't have a safe school, by definition, you can't have a good school." He said that over $14 million has been given to Illinois schools in "new money" to improve school security — including the use of metal detectors and police protection — and preventative education. Ryan also said penalties for possessing a gun in schools would be toughened and that a phone line had been set up for students who suspected other students of carrying weapons. "We may have saved some lives already," through the tip line, Ryan said. He also said that Illinois' school safety programs are among "the more progressive in the nation." Also on the topic of child safety, the task force addressed exploitation of children on the Internet. "I think we're just hitting the tip of the iceberg on this problem," Sheriff Madigan said. Ryan pointed out the effectiveness of the Sexually Violent Persons Act, which ensures that sexual offenders who have not received proper treatment are not able to be released from prison. He also talked of the importance of preventing domestic and family abuse. "We are never going to be able to control crime on the streets if we can't control violence in our own homes," Ryan said. He said more funding is being given to battered women's shelters and child advocacy groups to help address the problem. The Victims Automated Notification System was a program Ryan brought up when discussing victim's rights. The system gives victims a phone number they can call to find the incarceration status of their attacker and also informs victims when their attackers are about to be released from prison. Ryan said that more money is being given to help set up the system in Illinois, and that he would like to see more communities implement it in the future. The tip line number for students who feel threatened by violence in school is 1-800-477-0024. |
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