Pubdate: Wed, 09 Feb 2005
Source: Rappahannock News (VA)
Copyright: Times Community Newspapers 2005
Contact:  http://www.mapinc.org/media/3690
Website: http://www.RappahannockNews.com/
Author: Jeanne Spath
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

SHERERTZ TAKES PROACTIVE APPROACH TO DRUGS IN RAPPAHANNOCK

Is Methamphetimine A Problem In Rappahannock County?

With the Virginia General Assembly looking at legislation to control the 
ingredients used to make methamphetamine due to increased illicit drug 
traffic through the Interstate-81 corridor, that is the question of concern 
for the citizens of Rappahannock County.

"I consider any drug use or manufacture within the county problematic," 
said Rappahannock County Sheriff Larry Sherertz.

Fortunately, First Sgt. Gary Wilson of the Blue Ridge Task Force for 
narcotics has not seen a large influx of meth in Rappahannock, Greene, 
Madison or Orange counties.

"So far meth manufacturing has been concentrated in the (Shenandoah) 
Valley," said Wilson.

While the drug has not made its way into the county in vast numbers, Wilson 
advised that businesses do need to be alert to people purchasing items that 
are used to make the illegal drug, methamphetamine.

Of more concern to Wilson is the use of cocaine and marijuana in 
Rappahannock County, which he has found to be prevalent.

While the task force has agents assigned to investigate areas where there 
is known illicit drug use or manufacturing, Rappahannock County is the only 
locality within the region that does not participate with the Blue Ridge 
Task Force.

According to Sheriff Sherertz, the choice not to participate has to do with 
funding.

"I cannot collapse our force to have a deputy to work with just the drug 
force," said Sherertz, "If we had the luxury of having a high patrol 
officer roster, we could have someone on the force."

Currently, taking one person from the Rappahannock County deputy roster 
would equal 20 percent of the local force.

While the county is not represented with the task force, that does not mean 
that the Sheriff's office does not call on them or other drug enforcement 
agencies to come to their aid when needed.

The local law enforcement in Rappahannock County does elicit the help of 
its citizens as well as taking a proactive stance on the issue with having 
a resource officer in the public schools.

Deputy Jeff Brown teaches students in the elementary school how to avoid 
the pressures of drug use and is also available in the high school as a 
resource for school administration, students and parents.

"I believe his presence has curtailed and discouraged drug use in the 
county," said Sherertz, "I can't praise him enough."

The Sheriff's office is also active with the school administration by 
performing random locker searches where they bring in dogs to search the 
school grounds for illicit drugs.

Another proactive action on the part of the Sheriff's office is to enlist 
the help of the Virginia State Police in late summer to perform drug 
flights over the county, looking for marijuana growth.

"Drug use is not a victim less crime," Sherertz said, "There are absolutely 
drugs in this county, there is no place in Virginia that is free of drugs."

Sherertz pointed out that with this county being made up of many 
generations of family, most everyone knows each other, which is a good way 
to monitor drug use in the county.

"The people here (in Rappahannock County) have a vested interest in one 
another. That is good," said Sherertz.
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MAP posted-by: Beth