PETITION TO REMOVE SPACE ALLEGES WIDESPREAD DRUG OFFENSES

No Hearing Date Has Been Set As District Attorney Acts To Remove The
Effingham Sheriff From Office

Effingham County Sheriff Jay Space illegally bought thousands of
prescription pills during the last year, rarely showed up for work, wrecked
two county cars and behaved inappropriately in court and in public,
according to allegations in a 17-page petition to remove him from office
filed Wednesday.

Later Wednesday, GBI agents arrested the suspended sheriff on five felony
drug charges.

The petition sheds some light on the drug charges, alleging Space bought
more than 7,400 pills -- nearly all of them a prescription barbiturate
called Butalbital APAP -- between May 2001 and last month. The other drugs
included Valium, Paxil, Alprazolam Percocet and dihydrocodeine.

Ogeechee Judicial Circuit District Attorney Joe Martin filed the petition
in Effingham Superior Court as grounds to remove Space from office. Martin
cites 20 instances in which Space allegedly committed felony offenses by
purchasing or possessing prescription medication illegally.

Additionally, Martin alleges that Space has been incapacitated by multiple
sclerosis and drug abuse.

"Sheriff Space suffers from periods of irrational and illogical behavior
and is not able to function in a competent manner," Martin states in the
petition. "These periods are exacerbated by Sheriff Space's failure to
adhere to physicians orders as directed."

Space could not be reached for comment Thursday.

Acting Effingham Sheriff Richard Bush said he and other deputies watched
Wednesday afternoon as GBI agents fingerprinted, photographed and booked
Space before releasing him on $10,000 bond.

"We were sad to see it happen, but it was something that had to be done,"
Bush said.

Bush was appointed acting sheriff a day after Gov. Roy Barnes suspended
Space on June 18.

The 40-year-old Space was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis last year.

County officials say the disease and medication he takes have made him
incapable of performing his duties.

On June 5, Barnes appointed Attorney General Thurbert Baker, Cherokee
County Sheriff Roger Garrison and Tift County Sheriff Gary Vowell to
investigate Space.

The panel's three-day investigation included interviews with 17
people.Afterward, investigators recommended Space's suspension.

District Attorney Martin's petition also alleges that Space's condition
deteriorated to the point that his wife and sister were granted an
involuntary committal order last April.

In a single-car accident last year, Space caused nearly $7,000 worth of
damage to a county car. Another two-car accident in which Space was at
fault resulted in more than $10,000 worth of damage.

Martin also listed several public disturbances caused by Space.

Martin declined to comment on the case Thursday.He said no hearing date has
been set. The petition to remove Space will go through civil court, Martin
said.

ABOUT THE PILLS

According to Pooler pharmacist Buddy Carter, the following drugs could be
legally prescribed for treatment of the symptoms of multiple sclerosis, but
they are substances controlled by state laws and are only legal when
prescribed by a physician:

* Butalbital APAP: A barbiturate used for sedating patients.

* Valium: A relatively mild "nerve pill."

* Alprazolam: Also known by the brand name Xanax, a mild "nerve pill"
similar to Valium.

* Dihydrocodeine: A pain reliever often prescribed for moderate to severe pain.

* Paxil: An antidepressant often prescribed for panic attacks and social
anxiety disorder.

* Percocet: A narcotic analgesic often prescribed for moderate to severe pain.