NARCOTICS TASK FORCE FACES DELAY FOR EXPANSION

Solicitor Proposes Drug-Treatment Court

Rock Hill's veteran drug task force has inspired 15th Circuit Solicitor
Greg Hembree to expand the capabilities of a proposed narcotics squad for
Horry and Georgetown counties.

The expansion means a delay in the establishment of the squad that will
combat drug-related crime across county and city lines, but Hembree says it
will make the force more effective when it starts up, likely in early February.

"It's changed, but it's changed for the better," Hembree said.

The task force, which Hembree brought to Myrtle Beach City Council in the
fall, would eliminate the city or county borders that can hinder police
investigations, Hembree said.

The biggest change to the original proposal is the addition of a
drug-treatment court, in which criminals can receive guidance and
supervision while they quit doing drugs instead of receiving prison time.
That court could be in place by February, Hembree said.

Hembree said he also hopes to incorporate a larger geographic area than he
first expected. He planned to start in Horry County and later expand to
Georgetown, but after observing Rock Hill's force, he decided involving all
areas at the start was best.

Georgetown Sheriff Lane Cribb said he looks forward to the added strength
and scope of the task force that will add to his office's previous
successes working with other agencies.

He said the drug court could help identify which criminals need help
instead of prison time and "distinguish between a real dealer and an addict
who's dealing for his habit."

When addicts plead guilty to any crime and are sentenced to prison, their
sentences can be suspended upon completion of drug court. Hembree likened
it to a strict probation in which criminals report to a judge weekly,
undergo drug tests, and possibly attend Narcotics Anonymous or complete
community service.

The judge can sentence them to prison if unsatisfied with their progress,
Hembree said.

"It's a court that's built on treatment," Hembree said. "If they don't have
the addiction, they're not breaking in your car, they're not breaking in
your house."

Lt. Kelly Lovelace of the York County Sheriff's office said the initial
setup of the task force took a number of meetings with the agencies involved.

"Once we've got going, it's gone very smoothly," she said. "It's worked
very well for everyone except the drug dealers."

Lovelace, a commander with the drug task force in Rock Hill, said that
because the force targets all drug-related crimes, the officers have a
chance to investigate all types of offenses, including murder
investigations, internal affairs, alcohol investigations and prostitution.

Hembree said the next step will bring Rock Hill representatives to the
Grand Strand to help with the transition.

A delegation that included Myrtle Beach City Councilwoman Judy Rodman
visited Rock Hill's facility this month.

Rodman said consolidation of services will make law enforcement less
expensive for municipal governments.

"I really feel that cooperation between the city, the county, the whole
area is just vital to our success in tourism and growth and appealing to
the people," Rodman said. "The bottom line is eliminating the drug trade."