Pubdate: Wed, 24 Aug 2005
Source: Courier, The (TX)
Copyright: 2005 The Courier
Contact:  http://www.thecourier-online.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3366

WILLIS TAKES STEP FORWARD IN DRUG WAR BY ADDING SECOND NARCOTICS OFFICER

Illegal drugs easily can become the scourge of any community; the crime and 
violence associated with drug dealing and usage can quickly overwhelm 
neighborhoods and destroy quality of life - and even take life.

That's why we appreciate seeing our communities take a strong stand 
regarding drug enforcement. The latest to do so is Willis, where the City 
Council this week approved the addition of a second narcotics investigator 
to the police force.

It's not cheap to fight drugs in our communities. The city of Willis 
budgeted $83,900 for the second narcotics investigator, an amount that 
includes salary, vehicle usage, fuel, benefits and $5,000 for narcotics 
"buy" money.

But if law enforcement dollars are used effectively, we believe they can 
have an impact.

The question for Willis is whether adding just one more narcotics officer 
will not only enable the city to manage or "control," its drug problems, 
but actually eradicate them.

Like Conroe Mayor Tommy Metcalf's pledge last year to eradicate drug 
dealing in Conroe, we hope Willis follows a similar path: not just 
controlling drugs, but chasing them out of the community entirely.

Of course, no city can pull this goal off all by itself. It will take 
community support, including the support of neighbors in areas where drug 
activity is most common.

But the city of Willis is taking a good step forward by bringing in an 
additional narcotics officer to combat drugs in the city.
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MAP posted-by: Elizabeth Wehrman