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.
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