ABC PROGRAM LOOKS AT ANTI-DRUG PROGRAM CREATED IN HIGH POINT

HIGH POINT - ABC News "Primetime" will feature a report tonight about
the success of a drug intervention program, which originated with the
High Point Police Department and has since been used to curb the open
air drug market and violence in Hempstead, N.Y.

The report profiles the Overt Drug Market Intervention Strategy, or
High Point Initiative. The program was started with the High Point
Police Department in 2004 and continues to produce results, High
Point Lt. Steve Myers said.

Through the program, Myers said, the High Point police target
different areas of the city by identifying drug dealers and violent
offenders. "There are some really bad guys that we take off the
street right away," Myers said. "We tell the others they can end up
like this guy (in jail) or straighten up."

Myers said the Overt Drug Market Intervention Strategy is a promise
to vigorously prosecute repeat, violent and/or group offenders who
continue to engage in violent activity.

It also is an offer by the community to assist those who want to
change their lifestyles by delivering the tools to do so.

Officers work with the Guilford County District Attorney's Office,
federal officials and concerned citizens.

"The old-fashioned method of going out on the street and arresting as
many people as you can - that only works if you have a large number
of jails," Myers said. "It never stops the drug activity and
violence." The Overt Drug Market Intervention Strategy has been used
to reduce drug activity and violence in High Point's West End and
South Side neighborhoods and is underway in the East Green Drive area.

Since May 2004, the West End area has seen a 54 percent reduction
overall in violent crime and a 25 percent reduction in drug-related
crime as a result of the program, said Maj. Marty Sumner.

In addition to Hempstead, ABC reported that eight other cities have
implemented the program and 10 others have received federal grants to
do so. The Hemstead story airs tonight at 10 p.m. on ABC 45.