Pubdate: Wed, 19 May 2004 Source: Camden Chronicle, The (TN) Copyright: 2004 The Camden Chronicle Contact: http://www.bentoncounty.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3333 Author: Robert Cobb Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine) COMMISSION GETS BEHIND 'WAR ON DRUGS' PLAN Monday night at the County Commission meeting, Doyle Williams, President of the Ministerial Alliance, told the Legislative Body that the Ministerial Alliance is wanting to get more involved with the war on drugs, and in particular Methamphetamine. "We support our local police officers and Sheriff's deputies, and want them to have all the tools they need to do their job safely and effectively," Williams said. "Furthermore, we are here tonight to request some things that will help us to be more involved and help our cities and counties to become more drug free as we hereby today declare war against the production, use, and transportation of meth and other drugs in Benton County." Some of our goals are: .To establish an Anti Drug Council with the purpose of educating the community on the prevalence of drugs, to keep the campaign before the people, and to educate the citizens of the signs of meth use and production. Also to monitor whether or not we are winning the war. .To see that we form an anti drug task force within the Camden Police Dept. and within the Benton County Sheriff's Office and separate from any state teams that may exist. .To begin a Crime Stoppers program here in Camden and Benton County. .To place signs at each end of the city and the county stating: Camden/Benton County "Fighting to be Drug Free" .To create a watchdog group to sit in on court where meth charges are being heard, and fight against reduced charges or dropped charges for drug cases, especially meth. .Promote religious values, ethics and morals be taught within our school system regardless of threats from the Federal Government. Commissioner Dale Cunningham entered a motion, seconded by Roger Pafford for the Benton County Legislative Body to affirm the position set forth by Williams. The motion passed unanimously followed by a standing ovation. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin