POLICE WANT RESIDENTS IN WAR ON DRUGS

The Picayune Police Department will hold a town meeting on drug awareness,
prevention and treatment. Details:

When: 7 p.m. Tuesday.

Where: Pearl River County Senior Center, 45 El Patch Parkway, Picayune.

First, he introduced a drug resistance education program to school
students. Then he launched covert and overt operations, going
undercover with his officers to haul in suspected drug dealers and
users.

Now, Jim Luke unveils the final portion of his three-phase drug
offensive, a plan he announced after becoming police chief in March
2003. His department is hosting a town meeting Tuesday night for
residents who want to know how they can become a part of the solution.

The public forum introduces Marty Walker, outreach coordinator for
Oxford House, who will speak about his organization's program for
recovering alcoholics and drug addicts. The 7 p.m. program at the
Pearl River County Senior Center also offers a variety of educational
information. And residents can meet with representatives from
hospitals, residential treatment centers and faith-based programs.

Even though the town meeting is part of the chief's third phase, the
drug offensive is far from over, said Police Maj. David Ervin.

Police arrested 255 people on drug charges from December to May, a 30
percent increase over the same period the previous year, he said.

The town meeting offers residents a variety of resources that can help
those who have a drug or alcohol problem, said Ervin.

"We're hearing that Oxford House has a very effective program," he
said.

The Oxford House, according to its Web site, is a self-run,
self-supporting home open to recovering individuals who have completed
a 28-day rehabilitation program or a 10-day detoxification program.

A home can be started with a revolving loan fund that covers the first
month's rent and security deposit, but it must be repaid within two
years.

The average stay is a little over a year, but some residents stay four
or more years. The residents must pay an equal share of the housing
expenses and refrain from using alcohol or drugs.

The concept originated in Silver Spring, Md., in 1975. The nonprofit
organization has more than 800 homes around the nation, including one
in Gulfport.