2018 SD Governor's race: on Drugs

Billie Sutton: We're not going to incarcerate our way out of this

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.

Marty Jackley: Bolster rehabilitation and mental health programs for drugs

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.

Marty Jackley: Congress has failed us on drugs; keep drug dealers out

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."

Marty Jackley: Double headline - Already Done

[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.

Marty Jackley: We must explain consequences of legalized marijuana

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.