PICAYUNE STEPS UP DRUG FIGHT

The Picayune Police Department is taking an aggressive approach to
stop drug activity in its community.

The department recently implemented a three-phase operation that
includes prevention and education, enforcement and apprehension, and
counseling and rehabilitation.

The department already has seen results from the first phase with the
graduation Tuesday of more than 300 students who completed the Drug
Abuse Resistance Education program.

The second phase involves police officers using every drug enforcement
technique available, including state-of-the-art technical equipment,
covert and overt operations, and "good solid police work," said Chief
Jim Luke.

During the third phase, the Police Department will organize a panel of
experts in drug counseling and rehabilitation who will hold town
meetings to discuss drug problems affecting the community and resolve
existing drug problems.

"Drugs are killing our loved ones, destroying the minds of our
children and are the major cause of crimes committed in our
community," Luke said. "I will not be soft on those bringing drugs
into our community. We will search you out, the law will be enforced,
arrests will be forthcoming and the strongest penalties (will be)
requested of the courts."