Although drug abuse puts a strain on virtually every aspect of civil society, it probably places no greater burden anywhere than on the justice system. And, according to local prosecutors, at least one of the major factors in creating this strain is a lack of resources to punish those who break drug laws. "Being a prosecutor is not an easy job, by any means," said Talladega County District Attorney Steve Giddens. "If all of a sudden every single illegal drug in the county were to disappear, this still wouldn't be an easy job. But it would be a lot easier than it is now." [continues 1303 words]
Law enforcement officers are used to facing danger on the job. But throw drugs into the equation and that danger grows exponentially. "I responded to a call about a shooting at a house," said Bill Kennedy, who was a patrolman for 12 years before becoming commander of the Talladega Drug and Violent Crime Task Force. The call was to the home of a man who started shooting out all the windows of his house while his pregnant wife huddled in a room fearing for her life. [continues 538 words]
HOW BIG IS THE PROBLEM? St. Clair County Sheriff's Deputy Sgt. Roy Mullins and his K-9 partner, Barry, check and search cars for drugs at county high schools on a regular basis. Mullins said he feels crystal meth is the biggest threat to young people right now. (Kellie Long/The Daily Home) Every time police officers arrest a drug dealer, every time they raid a crystal meth lab, every time they seize a car, cash and dope shipment, they win another battle in the war against drugs. [continues 1217 words]
It's happened again. This time in Alabama. A school system has taken unreasonably drastic measures against a student for a seemingly minor offense. A Clay-Chalkville High School student was suspended for a month and sent to an alternative school. Her infraction? Taking ibuprofen - an over-the-counter painkiller similar to aspirin - for cramps. And that's just ridiculous. Other than this black mark, the girl has a clean disciplinary record and good grades. She said she was too embarrassed to ask her male teacher for permission to visit the main office to take the medicine. [continues 211 words]
TALLADEGA COUNTY - The Drug and Violent Crime Task Force is preparing for its second year of operation after receiving a $284,000 federal grant from the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs. District Attorney Steve Giddens said the money will likely be used to hire more officers. Seven officers serve on the task force, and Giddens said there is a possibility that two more will be hired now that much of the equipment needed to start up the task force is in place. [continues 438 words]
We realize there's a long way to go before Talladega County ever reaches the end of the war on drugs, but we are encouraged with efforts by Talladega's police force and the county's drug task force. Arrests are racking up by both forces as they continue a much more visible crackdown on drugs than in years past. And that sends a message that lawmen are being aggressive in their hunt for drug dealers. With so many crime statistics directly related to drugs, law enforcement must do a better job in eliminating the drug trafficking business in the area. Recent efforts by both the county and city show a definite step in the right direction. [end]
LINCOLN - Donna is living her last days doing what she loves best - detecting illegal drugs for the Lincoln Police Department. In January, the 11-year-old Belgian Malanior was diagnosed with terminal liver cancer that has metastasized to other sites in her body. And although her days are numbered, it has not stopped her from doing the job she was trained to do. Last month she was responsible for four felony drug arrests, two misdemeanor drug arrests and the confiscation of $20,000 in drug money. [continues 650 words]
A former Childersburg police officer is willing to give the city's Police Department a dog trained to sniff out drugs, provided the city takes responsibility for the dog's care. Jeremy Lett brought the dog, a 5-year-old German shepherd called Mr. K, to City Hall Monday. Lett and the dog gave the City Council a demonstration where the dog found marijuana and crack cocaine hidden at various places in the hall and in vehicles outside. Lett, who now works for the state Highway Patrol in Tuscaloosa County, said he will donate the dog because he will receive a new one and will not be able to look after both. [continues 647 words]
The war on drugs and violent crimes just got a little easier in Talladega County. The county's Drug and Violent Crime Task Force received a $286,000 grant from the state with a local match of $95,000 to use in its law enforcement efforts in those areas. The grant will help put more manpower into major cases, like the triple homicide that occurred in the county last month. The task force represents a team effort from the district attorney's office and local law enforcement agencies within the county. But the funding does, too. Through the efforts of the legislative delegation, the county commission and the governor, the task force got the financial support it needs to be an effective force in Talladega County. Our hats are off to a total team effort. [end]
Illegal drugs know no geographic boundaries. They are just as liable to show up in the highest priced neighborhood as they are the lowest. They make no racial distinction, or age, or gender. And they certainly don't gravitate toward only one church denomination, they know all denominations. That's the reason that the First Baptist Church of Talladega is presenting a non-denominational drug awareness seminar this Sunday at 6 p.m. "What you hear might save your child's life," promoters of the event proclaim. [continues 181 words]
The Pell City Council and mayor agreed Monday night to buy a police dog from Odenville Police Department. Police Chief Greg Turley said the dog will primarily be used for sniffing out drugs but can also be used in searches for suspects and lost children and adults. Turley said "Brando" is not an attack dog, but Mayor Guin Robinson said that is only if you don't mess with his toy. At a demonstration last week, the mayor reached down to pet Brando, and the dog lunged at him. [continues 341 words]
No more room in the inn. Full to the brim. Packed in like sardines. Chock-full. Whatever cliche best describes Alabama's prison system, take note. Then force lawmakers and the governor to do something about it. For at least 20 years now, overcrowding sits at the top of problems facing the state's correctional system. From governor to governor, from Legislature to Legislature, the faces change, but the problem forever lingers. In keeping with its "make me" attitude, the courts once again have intervened in an Alabama crisis, ordering the transfer of 1,850 state inmates from county jails into already overflowing prison populations by next week. And state officials are now scrambling for an immediate fix to a decades-old problem. [continues 167 words]
A recent ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court will allow random drug testing of students involved in extracurricular activities. In addition to saying a monologue or playing a solo, students trying out for the next school play or band may also have to provide a urine or hair sample. If this was to happen in Talladega and St. Clair counties, many students would not mind. "Taking part in extracurricular activities is a privilege. It makes the whole school, team or club look bad if even one person is using," said Jessica Kelley, who will be a junior at Sylacauga High School in August. [continues 1471 words]
In the midst of all of the task forces, drug arrests, and violent crimes committed as a result of the drug problem, many have asked what can be done to rehabilitate drug users. Drug and alcohol treatment facilities and programs have formed in large numbers over the past two decades, and most of them focus on treating drug addiction as a disease, rather than a mere behavioral problem. A Public Broadcasting report featuring psychologist Dr. Janet Firshein showcased the fact that addiction to alcohol and other drugs is a phenomenon that has been "clouded by myth, misunderstanding and moral judgments. The very nature of the problem - what addiction is - has long been debated. Most people probably continue to think of addiction - particularly to illicit drugs - as primarily a moral or character problem, something caused by degeneracy or lack of willpower." [continues 313 words]
With the presidential administration of Ronald Reagan, the country began a full-fledged war against illegal drugs, spending millions of dollars on the "Just Say No" advertising campaign, and millions more on law enforcement agencies' fight against drug trafficking and drug use. Decades later, government agencies are still fighting the war against drugs. As drug trends come and go, and the methods of production, distribution and use of these drugs change, some may perceive the war against drugs as a losing battle. [continues 1053 words]
