THE PROBLEM WITH ENABLING

I have been looking over the Police Report in the Village Voice the last couple of weeks. It's a bit scary. Two things strike me as being almost at epidemic proportions:

1. There are repeated stories of drunk driving. Often, it appears to be some of the same people. The police do not quite seem to know what to do. They appear at times reluctant to arrest the person, probably for a number of reasons, not the least of which is they would have to transport them to Benton. It also is not very good publicity for the Village. In one report, a car was seen driving erratic, but the person got home before the police arrived. In Illinois, this person could still be arrested, if witnesses saw the car on the road, and perhaps the engine is still hot when the police arrive. Maybe it's different in Arkansas, a lot of things are. Maybe it's different in The Village. A lot of things are. I definitely get the feeling it is not being handled in a way that will help the person, or the community. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE.
2. A lot of the stories also seem to be related to dementia. These are hard and difficult situations. (Of course, a lot of the dementia can be alcohol induced). If these people are living alone, that makes it all the harder to deal with. Someone needs to follow up on these situations to see if someone, anyone, can intervene. Perhaps there are family members living elsewhere who have not been made aware of the problem. We sometimes feel like we are interfering in the persons life, but the interference needs to occur for the safety of the person and the community. (Particularly if they are continuing to drive). 

These are two hard and reoccurring themes in our community. They should not be ignored. If allowed to continue on, both situations will lead to a tragic ending. A CARING COMMUNITY HAS TO INTERVENE.