ANTI-DRUG FUNDING IMPORTANT FOR AREA

Now More Than Ever, Drug Task Force Agencies And Specialized Police Forces
Are Needed In Smaller Cities And Communities Across America.

A recent study by the Federal Bureau of Investigation shows drug- related
arrests have increased nearly 10 percent in rural areas, while arrests
declined by 11 percent in bigger cities.

Some rural police authorities are speaking out, saying drug dealers are
moving their operations from the big cities. Basically, it's much easier to
sell drugs in the rural communities because of a lack of money and manpower.

Peter Tobin of the narcotics division of the Ohio Bureau of Criminal
Identification and Investigation said it best: "You gonna take your chances
in a city with hundreds of officers and dozens who solely monitor drug
activity, or are you going to head to the town where three cops take turns
patrolling in one cruiser? That's a no- brainer."

The Ohio Valley has seen this very thing happen. Recently, three men from
Chicago were arrested after using a Greyhound bus to transport crack
cocaine and other drugs to the Steubenville area.

With the help of Weirton and Hancock County authorities, Steubenville
Police were able to apprehend the men in the drug bust, which resulted in
the seizure of more than $12,000 in crack cocaine and two pounds of marijuana.

Because of the careful eye of local police forces who were watching that
afternoon when the men stepped off that bus and put a duffle bag in a car,
thousands of dollars worth of drugs were kept off our streets and perhaps
out of the hands of our youth.

Many drug task force units also take advantage of K-9 assistance, and
Wintersville's K-9 dog, Marco, was a big part of last week's bust. The dog
"hit" on the duffle bag brought from the Windy City even after the drug
runners had placed bags of pepper in it to try and throw off the dog's scent.

City Police and the Jefferson County prosecutor's office had been working
on this particular investigation for the past several months. It's because
of their commitment to keep drugs off our streets, that we can breathe a
sigh of relief knowing that someone out there cares and is watching out for
the residents of the Ohio Valley.

But small-town police and drug task force authorities, including K-9 units,
need funding to remain functional. It is crucial that state and federal
monies continue to be set aside to support these agencies.

Because of these authorities, smaller cities such as Steubenville are
working to take back their communities and fighting the war against drugs.
Let's just hope funding continues for those forces.