AREA DRUG TASK FORCE PROVES TO BE HUGE ASSET

The Southcentral Kentucky Drug Task Force deserves credit for success
while operating on a limited budget and staff.

In its first four months of operation in Butler, Logan and Simpson
counties, it has nearly matched the average number of drug cases
opened in the last two years by agencies in the counties that task
force now serves.

For example, the task force in Russellville has opened 203 criminals
cases, with 76 arrests resulting.

These are quite impressive results considering the short time the task
force has been in existence and that it has fewer than 10 officers.

Its budget started off low, but through the contributions from six
local law enforcement agencies and a $50,000 methamphetamine grant
secured by U.S. Rep. Ed Whitfield, R-Hopkinsville, it is a force to be
reckoned with.

One great advantage of the task force is it takes pressure off police
and sheriffs' departments.

"The manpower - the hours we're putting in to deal with this drug
problem - has eased up in a way that they're helping us by taking
these cases and giving more time to them," Logan County Sheriff
Wallace Whitaker said.

The drug task force is able to dedicate all its resources and manpower
toward drug enforcement, allowing law enforcement agencies to deal
with other crimes.

Methamphetamine use and distribution is a large problem in these
smaller, rural counties and the task force is responsible for
attacking it head-on and making some progress.

Butler County Sheriff Kenneth Morris said the task force cleans up the
community and also can save lives through educating the public about
the dangers of drugs.

Task Force Director Jim Devasher said there were people who told him
in the beginning that it wouldn't work on its budget.

But they were wrong.

Of the agency's 76 arrestees, 10 were brought in on cocaine charges,
19 for marijuana, 27 people for methamphetamine, six for growing
marijuana and 14 other drug-related charges.

They also have been helpful in recovering items that have been stolen,
including 32 guns, eight motor vehicles and all-terrain vehicles.

This task force should be commended.

In spite of operating on a limited budget, they beat all the odds and
expectations and have really made a positive contribution to combating
drug use and manufacturing in our region.