State brings in doctor to discuss medical treatment for sex offenders

THAT'S THE IDEA BEHIND A MEDICAL TREATMENT KNOWN AS 'CHEMICAL CASTRATION'. TODAY STATE LAWM...  More »

THAT'S THE IDEA BEHIND A MEDICAL TREATMENT KNOWN AS 'CHEMICAL CASTRATION'. TODAY STATE LAWMAKERS BROUGHT IN AN EXPERT ON THE TREATMENT WHICH THEY'RE CONSIDERING FOR NEW MEXICO. GADI SCHWARTZ REPORTS FROM SANTA FE. 'NAT' THIS IS DR. FRED BERLIN --BEST KNOWN AS THE MAN WHO DIAGNOSED AND TESTIFIED ON SERIAL KILLER JEFFERY DAHMER'S SEXUAL DISORDERS DURING HIS TRIAL. THIS MORNING'S MAIN TOPIC--- PEDOPHILIA -- SEX CRIMES--- AND CHEMICAL CASTRATION -- A MEDICAL TREATMENT THAT REDUCES TESTOSTERONE. I think that lowering testosterone enables some sex offenders to be in better control of themselves thats not only in their best interest but the interest of the community and I think that should be explored as an option here. NEW MEXICO LAWMAKERS HAVE TALKED ABOUT SURGICAL CASTRATION FOR SOME SEX OFFENDERS IN THE PAST -- BUT ULTIMATELY THE IDEA NEVER TOOK HOLD. AFTER THIS MORNING'S SESSION -- NEITHER COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN SEEMED TO EMBRACE THE TREATMENT AS A PUNISHMENT THE STATE COULD FORCE ON CONVICTED SEX OFFENDERS ANY TIME SOON. he emphasized here today that these programs are only successful if they are done voluntarily. this is not a one size fits all solution we need to make sure we get treatment for people who can be treated we are going to have to incarcerate those who can't and a mix of both of those for someone in between. DOCTOR BERLIN'S EXPERTISE DOESN'T COME CHEAP. THE STATE COURTS, CORRECTIONS AND JUSTICE COMMITTEE SHELLED OUT SIX- THOUSAND DOLLARS PLUS TRAVEL EXPENSES TO HEAR FROM THE DOCTOR. LAWMAKERS SAID THE PRICE WAS WORTH IT TO LEARN ABOUT WAYS TO PROTECT COMMUNITIES. GS EWN4 U-N-M WANTS THE  « Less