Denise Brainard

What is your position on smoke-free Michigan or smoke-free Oakland County (depending on office sought)?

I am a member of the Tri-Community Coalition which has actively been promoting smoke free Michigan.

What is your position on the medical marijuana ballot initiative?

A judge is bound to follow the law, regardless of whether she agrees with it or not. My understanding is that there is a medically approved means of providing THC to qualifying patients, via Marinol. One of the complaints in the debate is that some patients cannot swallow the medicine in pill form, and alternative means of administering Marinol should be explored, if they have not already been developed. I believe that the language of the ballot initiative is dangerous and does not provide for sufficient regulation. It will be impossible to regulate and monitor marijuana use and distribution under the current wording of the proposal. There is already substantial marijuana abuse in our community and this ballot initiative, as written, will increase the potential for more widespread abuse.

How would you address the issue of underage drinking?

It is difficult for a judicial candidate to say “this is what I will do on every underage drinking case that comes in front of me”. As the mother of three children, I have learned that each child responds differently. Each person must be evaluated to determine the best course of conduct to address the issue, and there are many causes of underage drinking. However, the one constant in addressing underage drinking is education. As a district court judge, there is a considerable amount of flexibility in sentencing. The educational portion of sentencing can take the form of essays, tours of the morgue, panels, speakers, classes, and, of course, treatment. Another issue that must be addressed when talking about underage drinking is parental involvement and responsibility. Educating parents about the laws and consequences of underage drinking is equally important.

What is your position on using liquor license revenue as a way to generate additional revenue for the state and local municipalities?

Local municipalities are facing increasing demands and less revenue. If revenue can be generated through licensed establishments that serve alcohol then the community can benefit.

What have you done to support substance abuse prevention in your community?

I have served on the Board for the Tri-Community Coalition for the last 6 years. During that time I have been secretary, vice-president, and a board member at large. I have participated in numerous educational forums for students and their parents. I was the keynote speaker at a Town Hall Meeting addressing underage drinking; focusing on local ordinances and state laws, and the consequences of violating those laws. The Coalition has been instrumental in establishing an after school program to keep kids busy during the afternoon before parents get home. Additionally, I have participated in Youth Dialogue Day; listening to the concerns of youth in our community and working with them to implement new programs. I am on the committee awarding scholarships to a youth from Berkley High School and Oak Park High School based on a project titled “Why I Choose to be Alcohol and Drug Free”. As a domestic violence prosecutor for 9 years, I helped families in crisis. Although not the root of domestic violence, substance abuse often coexists in that environment. By holding the batterer accountable and requiring both substance abuse treatment and batterer intervention programs, I was able to support victims and keep families safe.