There's a song that I've come across that some might think should be played in jail cells. It is from the Blind Boys of Alabama, and the song is "No Dope." The chorus goes, "We don't need no dope, 'cause we got hope." That song came to my memory last week when we had the incident on I-65 when suspects were caught throwing marijuana out the window. So much so that I had to play the song for our news staff again. [continues 309 words]
Church Drama Portrays Life In An Uncompromising Way Tonight, a Clanton church will present a drama that portrays the realities of drug abuse, family turmoil, life on the street, and the wholeness that results from an undying faith in God. Hopewell Baptist Church located on Hopewell Drive will present "Broken But Not Destroyed" tonight at 7 in the church sanctuary. The 15-scene drama begins with a pastor coming home to find his wife doing drugs. After the confrontation, she leaves and later returns to find her husband waiting but angry and frustrated. [continues 306 words]
This week, local schools will be celebrating Red Ribbon Week, which urges students to show their personal commitment to a drug-free lifestyle by wearing a red ribbon from Oct. 23-31. Red Ribbon Week was first organized by the National Family Partnership in 1988. The tradition began after DEA agent Kiki Camarena was murdered by drug traffickers in Mexico City, Mexico in 1985. Camarena was working undercover investigating a major drug cartel believed to include officers in the Mexican army, police and government. [continues 247 words]
Dear Editor, The Advertiser, If you only inform your readers of one plank in my platform for Governor then how can you say you are keeping people "informed" while managing to keep a straight face? You make it seem like the idea to regulate and control marijuana in the state of Alabama so as to keep it out of the hands of kids and solve the prison crisis is unheard of. I guess you haven't been paying attention to the "Special Task Force on Prison Overcrowding" and their recommendations. [continues 202 words]
Loretta Nall, a 31-year-old mother of two, is running for governor of Alabama when she's not busy with her other duties: writing for Cannabis Culture magazine and serving as president of the U.S. Marijuana Party. Now she's seeking the Libertarian Party's nomination for governor because the party already has a structure in Alabama and because they agree on a major issue: They want marijuana legalized. When election time rolls around, you get people like Nall - those with very little political savvy - who throw their hats into the ring hoping to go down in the history books with at least a few votes. [continues 81 words]
THORSBY - The Town of Thorsby voted to join the Chilton County Violent Crime and Drug Task Force last night through a contribution of $5000. With only four full-time officers, Thorsby Police Chief Ed Prady said he could not afford to dedicate one officer and one car to the task force as other municipalities have, but noted he thinks the town needs to be involved with the task force as much as possible. "I've said from the get go that we couldn't put a car and an officer into it, but I think we need to be a part of it." [continues 250 words]
Since its inception a little less than one month ago, Chilton County's new Drug/Violent Crime Task Force has already taken a substantial chunk out of the county's drug traffickers and users. With manpower dedicated only to handling drug and violent crime cases, the county stands a better chance than ever to combat the United States' ever-growing drug problem. The project is a joint venture with the Sheriff's Office and Clanton Police Department with Jemison and Maplesville expected to sign on soon. [continues 186 words]
A recent U.S. Supreme Court decision overriding California's medical marijuana law is not deterring an Alabama state representative from trying to pass a similar law here. State Representative Laura Hall (D-Huntsville) has drafted a bill that would allow people who use marijuana for medical purposes to get the drug from pharmacies through a doctor's prescription. Hall's bill differs from California's law in that the latter made provisions for homegrown marijuana. The bill was approved by the Alabama House Judiciary Committee but was not considered by the House during the regular session. [continues 213 words]
There are several tell-tale signs that an informed citizen can use to help local law enforcement fight the war on methamphetamine production. Before the Alabama Legislature passed a law this week curbing the sale of cold medicine, anyone who was purchasing large amounts of decongestant was a likely suspect. Now, there are other ways to tell. If you see anyone purchasing large amounts of peroxide, rubbing alcohol, acetate (finger nail polish remover) or matches, notify the manager of the grocery store. [continues 147 words]
In an effort to crack down on the manufacture of methamphetamine (meth), some local merchants have moved their products containing ephedrine and/or pseudoephedrine behind the counter. Others have refused to sell the products altogether. Large quantities of ephedrine and pseudoephedrine are key ingredients in making meth and are often purchased from local retailers several packages at a time. The most popular form of the substance comes in decongestants like Sudafed. A new law, aimed at combating the meth problem in Alabama will require local retailers to put medicines like Sudafed behind the counter. [continues 158 words]
Montgomery - A bill that would make it harder to produce methamphetamines moved a step closer to becoming law today by passing the Alabama House of Representatives. The Senate bill, which was handled in the House by Rep. John Robinson, D-Scottsboro, will modify and clarify current law and make it illegal to knowingly possess sale or transfer precursor chemicals for the intent to manufacture controlled substances like those used in the manufacturing of methamphetamines. Methamphetamines are synthetic stimulants that are produced and sold illegally has stimulant similar to adrenaline. Like adrenaline, methamphetamines stimulate the central nervous system, and are extremely addictive. [continues 109 words]
Drug Dealers Are Running Out Of Places To Hide In Calera The Calera Police Department is doing several little things in order to hinder the sale of drugs within the community, such as cutting down bushes and trees, leaving open fields. The police department also has bigger things in the works-in this case, the possibility of joining forces with the Central Alabama Drug Task Force. Officers becoming involved with the Drug Task Force would become investigators, focusing on the manufacture, possession and sale of illegal drugs, according to Calera Chief of Police Jim Finn. [continues 229 words]
John Matson, interim press secretary for Gov. Bob Riley, said more convicted felons similar to Joseph Cammon could be released onto the streets of Alabama. Cammon was paroled less that a week ago by the Alabama Department of Pardons and Parole after serving four years of a four-consecutive life term sentence for drug distribution. Assistant Executive Director of that board Cynthia Dillard said Cammon met parole standards. Local law enforcement agencies, including the Chilton County Sheriff's Department and District Attorney Randall balked at the release, saying the efforts of both departments had been wasted. [continues 312 words]
By Jason Green The state has apparently begun setting free non-violent felons as part of its cost-cutting measures. That means as many as 5,000 prisoners in the state system could go free in the coming days as the state attempts to cut its overhead. In a story appearing in today's edition of The Advertiser, Chilton County Sheriff's Investigator Shane Fulmer and District Attorney Randall Houston voiced their concerns over the release of Joe Cammon, an individual convicted of distributing illegal drugs. He was sentenced to four consecutive life sentences, in addition to a separate 15-year sentence for possession of cocaine. [continues 390 words]
JEMISON - The cost for possession of marijuana in the second degree and possession of drug paraphernalia just went up in the City of Jemison. Last night the council unanimously passed an ordinance thereby establishing a drug tip fund. This ordinance number 100103 allows the Municipal Court Judge to fine an individual up to $200 in addition to the any and all court costs and fines, if convicted or a plea of guilty is made, upon each case. Due to the growth of Jemison, the council recognized there maybe an increase in criminal activity of all types. This money will assist the police department in their efforts against all crimes, specifically the unlawful possession of marijuana and other drug paraphernalia. The funds will be collected by the Municipal Court Clerk and deposited into the Drug Task Fund. [end]
CLANTON - On Wednesday, Alabama Gov. Bob Riley awarded $298,000 to continue the fight against illegal drugs in Chilton, Autauga and Elmore Counties. The grant will help in funding the Central Alabama Drug Task Force, which is made up of the district attorney's office and sheriff's departments in those three counties. Also included in the task force are the Clanton, Millbrook, Prattville and Wetumpka police departments. "We must aggressively pursue and prosecute drug dealers whether they are in our major cities or our rural communities," Riley said. [continues 114 words]
U.S. Rep. Spencer Bachus, R-Birmingham, on Tuesday ushered a bill through Congress which will bring a substantial sum of money to the Chilton County Sheriff's Department. While that sum has yet to be determined, the total has been called substantial by Bachus staffers. Tuesday afternoon, when contacted about the additional funding bound for the department, Chilton County Sheriff Billy Wayne Fulmer, said he applied for any financial assistance possible through Bachus' office more than six months ago. He managed to speak briefly with Bachus in the spring about the possibility of acquiring some additional funding. However, he had not heard about the issue gaining wheels and being pushed through the house. [continues 150 words]
WASHINGTON - In a letter written six months ago, Chilton County Sheriff Billy Wayne Fulmer asked U.S. Rep. Spencer Bachus, R-Birmingham, for any help he could get from the federal government in Fulmer's ongoing fight against meth labs in the county. Apparently, Bachus was listening. On Tuesday afternoon, the Chilton County Sheriff's Department was one of 20 departments in the nation confirmed to be receiving funds through the COPS (Community Oriented Policing Services) grant program. "The measure has passed through the House and is gone to the Senate," Evan Keefer, Bachus' press spokesman said Tuesday. "From there, it will go before an appropriations community to determine how much Chilton County will receive." [continues 108 words]
JEMISON - The Jemison City Council on Monday heard police officers Robert Monroe and Dewayne Driver give a report on how their department is getting tougher on drugs, before elevating Driver above the probation period into full status as an officer. The council also heard Mayor Kenneth Ray talk at length about his concerns about the drug problem, noting it has affected his family and that he wants officers talking to students in Jemison's schools. "I just want to praise our police department, because I'm sure you're reading the newspaper," Ray said. "There's a lot of things they're doing you don't know." Ray noted there are many details he doesn't know about. "They're doing a doggone good job with drugs," Ray said. "Anyone who thinks Jemison is a backwoods little city...They're going to get a surprise." [continues 378 words]
Clanton Mayor Billy Joe Driver said he is still hoping and praying the city's drug dog, reported missing more than two weeks ago, will be found. "I just keep hoping he will show up one day," Driver said Tuesday morning. "We have looked and looked and have a $1,000 reward. There's just not much more we can do at this point." On Friday, June 28 Clanton Police officials reported the city's lone drug dog, Briggs, had turned up missing from his holding cage earlier in the week. [continues 173 words]
