TASK FORCE RESURRECTED TO COMBAT DRUGS COUNTYWIDE

The countywide Multi-jurisdictional Drug Enforcement Task Force has been
resurrected in Shelby County in hopes of combating an ever-increasing drug
problem.

A similar task force dissolved in 1999 after cuts in state funding.

Recently, however, the Shelby County Sheriff's Department and the County
Commission received a grant from the Alabama Department of Economic and
Community Affairs to continue its task force work.

The task force will be managed by the sheriff's office and will include
members of the Alabaster, Pelham, Montevallo and Columbiana police
departments, along with the district attorneys office.

Each agency will contribute full-time sworn officers to the task force.

"By combining our resources, we will improve our efforts to reduce the
supply of drugs in Shelby County," said Shelby County Sheriff Chris Curry.

"I am very excited about this task force and the impact it will have on the
citizens of our county."

According to the sheriff's office, the primary goal of the task force is to
reduce the amount of drugs in Shelby County and increase conviction rates on
drug arrests.

The task force will initiate drug investigations, assist police agencies
from the state and federal level, collect evidence and share information
with other agencies.

Also, the task force will obtain search and arrest warrants and provide
training.

"This task force will become a community resource," Curry said.