Arizona Lobbyist Kevin DeMenna Admits to Drug Addiction Following Arrest: ” I Think it Was Time”

The Arizona Republic reports that lobbyist Kevin DeMenna is finally ready to speak about his troubles with drug addiction and prescription medication abuse.

For those unaware of the story, DeMenna was arrested last October following a police pursuit on Interstate 10. He was reportedly driving recklessly and erratically, nearly crashing into other cars and driving on the shoulder and the median. Arresting officers found DeMenna in possession of 348 pills, marijuana, and a pipe. While arresting officers sought charges of felony narcotics violation, two felony marijuana violations, and two misdemeanor DUI charges, the Pine County Attorney’s Office charged DeMenna with felony possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia and two misdemeanor DUI offenses. In May 2015 Kevin then accepted a plea bargain: in exchange for a guilty plea for one of the misdemeanor DUI offenses, all other charges were dropped. The Arizona lobbyist only spent two days in jail.

This type of leniency can only be attributed to the privilege his position has afforded him. As a lobbyist, his firm has represented health care, contracting, and tourism interests in the state of Arizona; his political pull definitely has some influence on the outcome of his legal woes. In a country where drug offenses often carry hefty fines, lengthy probations, and even years in prison, a two day stint in jail for possession of 348 pills, marijuana and drug paraphernalia is less a slap on the wrist and more a charade. Arizona has legalized medical marijuana, yes, but illegal recreational use and possession is still a felony in the state. (And don’t get me started on marijuana’s federal status.) DeMenna is not prescribed for medical marijuana use, but he does offer an explanation.

In an interview with The Arizona Republic, DeMenna explains that his addiction to prescription medication began as a means for dealing with the pain of lingering injuries. Throughout high school and college he participated in several sports including rodeos. DeMenna goes on to explain that he has suffered silently from addiction for years and the marijuana was used to relieve nausea associated with his drug use. He credits the incident as being the catalyst for his decision to finally end his dependency and says he quit cold turkey following his arrest:

“The fact that I was stopped is because I was impaired, and I think I was at the time. It hasn’t happened again. It will never happen again.”

The Pine County police department is receiving criticism for its many errors while processing the case: the extended time frame between arrest and charges being pressed that happened to allow DeMenna to continue his practice uninterrupted is especially troubling to former Maricopa County Attorney Rick Romley.

“I just do not understand why it took so long to charge this case,” he said to Arizona Republic reporters. “October to April is way too long. I don’t care what the backlog is.”

Romley also questions why Pine County failed to mandate drug rehabilitation as a term for the plea agreement.

That fact brings to question rather DeMenna’s claim of sobriety can truly be trusted by the people of Pine County and Arizona. “The public is not going to have confidence that this was handled the right way. There are too many questions.”

Do you think DeMenna got off easy? Give us your opinion in the comments below.

 

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The post Arizona Lobbyist Kevin DeMenna Admits to Drug Addiction Following Arrest: ” I Think it Was Time” appeared first on Harbor Village Florida.

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