SHERERTZ TAKES PROACTIVE APPROACH TO DRUGS IN RAPPAHANNOCK

Is Methamphetimine A Problem In Rappahannock County?

With the Virginia General Assembly looking at legislation to control the
ingredients used to make methamphetamine due to increased illicit drug
traffic through the Interstate-81 corridor, that is the question of concern
for the citizens of Rappahannock County.

"I consider any drug use or manufacture within the county problematic,"
said Rappahannock County Sheriff Larry Sherertz.

Fortunately, First Sgt. Gary Wilson of the Blue Ridge Task Force for
narcotics has not seen a large influx of meth in Rappahannock, Greene,
Madison or Orange counties.

"So far meth manufacturing has been concentrated in the (Shenandoah)
Valley," said Wilson.

While the drug has not made its way into the county in vast numbers, Wilson
advised that businesses do need to be alert to people purchasing items that
are used to make the illegal drug, methamphetamine.

Of more concern to Wilson is the use of cocaine and marijuana in
Rappahannock County, which he has found to be prevalent.

While the task force has agents assigned to investigate areas where there
is known illicit drug use or manufacturing, Rappahannock County is the only
locality within the region that does not participate with the Blue Ridge
Task Force.

According to Sheriff Sherertz, the choice not to participate has to do with
funding.

"I cannot collapse our force to have a deputy to work with just the drug
force," said Sherertz, "If we had the luxury of having a high patrol
officer roster, we could have someone on the force."

Currently, taking one person from the Rappahannock County deputy roster
would equal 20 percent of the local force.

While the county is not represented with the task force, that does not mean
that the Sheriff's office does not call on them or other drug enforcement
agencies to come to their aid when needed.

The local law enforcement in Rappahannock County does elicit the help of
its citizens as well as taking a proactive stance on the issue with having
a resource officer in the public schools.

Deputy Jeff Brown teaches students in the elementary school how to avoid
the pressures of drug use and is also available in the high school as a
resource for school administration, students and parents.

"I believe his presence has curtailed and discouraged drug use in the
county," said Sherertz, "I can't praise him enough."

The Sheriff's office is also active with the school administration by
performing random locker searches where they bring in dogs to search the
school grounds for illicit drugs.

Another proactive action on the part of the Sheriff's office is to enlist
the help of the Virginia State Police in late summer to perform drug
flights over the county, looking for marijuana growth.

"Drug use is not a victim less crime," Sherertz said, "There are absolutely
drugs in this county, there is no place in Virginia that is free of drugs."

Sherertz pointed out that with this county being made up of many
generations of family, most everyone knows each other, which is a good way
to monitor drug use in the county.

"The people here (in Rappahannock County) have a vested interest in one
another. That is good," said Sherertz.