CHARLTON REPORT

Last Week Was a Very Special Week for All Law Enforcement and Our
Fight Against the Flow of Illegal Drugs into Our Country.

Each year we have our red ribbon week in recognition of a federal
agent who was tortured and killed. The agent was working under cover
on a large drug artel that was shipping illegal drugs into our
country. The drug cartel found our who he was and as a result of his
knowledge of their illegal activity they killed him.

The red ribbon week was started to recognize the agents and also a
special time set aside to visit our schools in an effort to keep our
kids off of illegal drugs. We focus on our grammar school kids who
are at the age in life that we may be successful in teaching them not
to use illegal drugs. We need to teach them the dangers of using illegal drugs.

We had a helicopter from the state of Georgia drug RAID unit. The
helicopter and pilot are assigned to fight the battle on illegal
drugs. The pilot explained to the kids about his duties and the type
of work he does. The kids got a close look at the helicopter.

We also had 13 K-9 units from Florida and Georgia law enforcement
agencies. These dogs are specially trained to sniff our illegal
drugs. The students were shown the obedience training results for
each dog as well as the special training the dogs have to protect
their handler and partner. The students also got to see how the dogs
are trained to catch a person who is fleeing from the police.

Another drug program they I feel is very important and helpful to our
kids is our DARE program. This program has been in place for many
years. This program was supported with funds form the state
government. Those funds were stopped about 2 years ago because of the
cost. The powers to be think it is not worth the effort or the
expense. A new program was started by the Georgia Sheriff's
Association because we felt that the DARE program was well worth the
time and expense. Each Georgia county now has their own DARE officer
and program. Sgt. Joey Chancey is our county DARE officer. Sgt.
Chancey has completed the DARE program guidelines and is in his
second year of teaching the 5th grades about the dangers of illegal
drugs and how to stay drug free.

Our Charlton County commissioners support the DARE program. Our
teachers in each school also support the DARE program. Each school
always supports our red ribbon week by letting us come into their
school and are always ready and willing to assist in any way they
can. A number of local people and businesses make donations for each
program each year. Without all of everyone's help these programs
would not be successful.

Last Thursday after we had visited our schools with the drug dogs, we
held a drivers license and safety check on U.S. 1 South of Folkston.
As a result of the check 14 people were arrested for drug violations.
Those arrested were; [remainder of article redacted]