Debate: Abuse of heroin, opiates is state's top safety issue

WISCONSIN DELLS (AP) — Three Democrats and a Republican candidate for Wisconsin attorney general say the abuse of heroin and opiates is the state's top safety issue.

The four candidates debated Saturday during the Wisconsin Professional Police Association annual meeting.

They also say the state also needs to focus on drunken driving but don't agree how the state should enforce OWI laws.

Dane County District Attorney Ismael Ozanne and state Rep. Jon Richards say Wisconsin should criminalize first-time drunken driving offenses.

Jefferson County District Attorney Susan Happ and Republican Waukesha County District Attorney Brad Schimel say the state should focus on repeat drunken driving offenders.

The nearly 10,000-member WPPA endorsed Republican Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen in 2006 and 2010. The group's board soon will decide who it will endorse in this race.