Pubdate: Thu, 23 May 2002 Source: Daily Home, The (AL) Copyright: 2002 Consolidated Publishing Contact: or http://www.dailyhome.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1632 DRUG WAR NEEDS TEAM EFFORT All too often, officials attack the problems they face as if they are the only ones who face them. They think of them as location specific rather than one that knows no borders. Drugs is one of those problems. It's not a war to be declared only in Childersburg or Talladega or Sylacauga. Across the river, it's not a battle just in Pell City or Moody. These are efforts that need a regional attack plan in order to get drugs off the streets of towns and cities and counties across the area and keep them off. St. Clair officials long ago formed a drug task force for their judicial circuit, recognizing that officers working together from all corners of the county could make a greater impact than simultaneous efforts working alone. Talladega County is doing likewise, and that is an encouraging sign. Officials are soliciting financial support from cities, towns and the County Commission en route to a task force whose membership will reflect the entire county, not just parts of it. By banding together, state-of-the-art equipment is more affordable, information across the county can be shared, making investigations more comprehensive, and a show of unity in purpose in law enforcement can be an effective deterrent to would-be drug dealers. The push for a task force needs the support of all governmental entities in the county, but it also needs the support of the people. This elusive war on drugs will remain just that - elusive - unless all work together toward bringing it to an end. A drug task force that encourages and gets support from both arenas, government and the people, is a huge step toward winning the battle and the war. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth