Pubdate: Thu, 06 Jan 2005 Source: Parkersburg Sentinel, The (WV) Copyright: 2005, The Parkersburg Sentinel Contact: http://www.newsandsentinel.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1647 Author: Brad Bauer Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/heroin.htm (Heroin) SHERIFF BOLSTERS ANTI-DRUG EFFORTS MARIETTA -- Washington County Sheriff Larry Mincks has made drug enforcement a top priority during his first week in office, creating a narcotics bureau at the office and meeting with other agencies in hopes of developing a multi-jurisdictional drug task force. Mincks said drug abuse continues to be a concern in Washington County not only because of the health risks associated with drug use, but because drugs lead to other crimes such as theft and abuse. Mincks said he has assigned four deputies to work narcotics cases full time as part of the newly created narcotics bureau. "As of this morning (Tuesday), there will be a lieutenant, sergeant and two detectives assigned to do nothing but work narcotics in Washington County," Mincks said. "I think this is very important, and it is going to be one of my priorities." Mincks said he is optimistic a narcotics task force will be in operation in Washington County within the next few months. He said new Washington County Prosecutor Jim Schneider and Marietta and Belpre police departments are anxious to participate. A spate of drug related overdose cases in 2002 led to a community-wide concern about the amount of illegal drugs in the county. At the time, one of the recommendations was to establish a multi-jurisdictional task force to deal with the issue. In 2002, a state-commissioned study indicated the use of heroin and other opiates had increased tenfold in Washington County. The Ohio Substance Abuse Monitoring Network reported 52 non-fatal overdoses related to heroin, other opiates and sedatives in Washington County from May to August of 2002, 15 of which occurred in a two-week period. Former Sheriff Bob Schlicher had called for the creation of a multi-jurisdictional task force for some time, but it failed to come to fruition during his tenure. Mincks, who was elected sheriff in November, replaced the retiring Schneider starting this week. Marietta police Chief Brett McKitrick said he is dedicating two officers toward the creation of the task force, which is being called a "Drug Team." "It's a done deal that we're going to get this going," McKitrick said. "Right now it is just a question of getting mutual aid agreements and everything approved." Belpre police Chief Ira Walker could not be reached for comment; however, McKitrick said it was his understanding Belpre's involvement would be limited, at least initially. McKitrick said he expects Belpre will still participate by helping to pool information on local drug activity. Mincks said the sheriff's office will be providing a location for the drug team to work. He said the Marietta officers will be commissioned as special deputies so they will be able to participate in arrests outside of the city limits. Mincks said another priority is to increase the number of road patrols in the county. He said he is looking for ways to streamline duties to increase the amount of time officers are out on county roads. - --- MAP posted-by: Jackl