OTHER CITIES DEALING WITH DRUG PROBLEMS

Huntington's problem is being felt in cities and towns across the
United States, including several locations in Ohio where their police
departments have been battling Detroit-area drug dealers for more
than a decade. Here's how they assess their situations:

Maj. Bill Collins of the Marion Police Department said his officers
could work around the clock and they would not be able to eradicate
the problem. ADVERTISEMENT

"We're losing, in my opinion," he said. "Back when it started, we
could get rid of a three or four of Detroit drug dealers, and it
would be a while before others would show up. Now there are just so
many here, that we'll never get rid of all the Detroit people. The
money is just so good here that it's worth the risk to them."

Canton Police Lt. Ron Shank was recently reassigned to his
department's drug unit.

"I'd say we're just maintaining," he said. "We've had some very key
arrests, and what that does is slow things down for a while. But as
far as putting a serious dent in it, no, we're just maintaining."

A recent arrest included one convicted drug dealer who had already
served five years in prison. Shank said nine ounces of cocaine and
four ounces of crack were confiscated, and the man's 13-year-old son
was holding the crack.