POLICE SHOW RESIDENTS HOW TO SPOT DRUGS

Before this week Helen Worthy had never seen crack cocaine. She had never
touched marijuana.

She had the opportunity to do both Monday at a presentation by the
Wilmington Police Department on drug activity in the city.

"I just can't believe people would pay money for this," Ms. Worthy said
after examining a bag of crack passed through the crowd for observation.

Sgt. Jeff Allsbrook with the City-County Vice and Narcotics Unit and other
police officials gave an hour-long presentation at the Town Hall community
center on Castle Street during which they talked frankly about the role of
residents in combating drugs. He showed residents the tiny, resealable
plastic bags that marijuana and crack are usually sold in. He said many
buyers discard the bags at the scene of purchase.

"If you see a lot of bags on the ground like this, you know there's drug
activity there," Sgt. Allsbrook said.

Sgt. Allsbrook also talked about residents calling in tips of drug activity
in their community. He said anonymous calls present the problem of credibility.

"The best thing you can do is develop a rapport with the police in which
you would regular call in drug tips," he said. "That way we know you are a
reliable source."

The sergeant said with the introduction of crack to Wilmington, robberies
and prostitution soared in the city. He added that heroin has started to
make a comeback in Wilmington.

Officials told the crowd that marijuana is the biggest choice among drug users.

Most drugs get to Wilmington by interstate travel, he said.

Sgt. Allsbrook said prison overcrowding and some laws make it difficult to
keep or put some drug dealers in prison. Several people said they disagree
with the way the jails were handling the problem.

"I'm not concerned about the jails being too crowded. We should pack them
in there like sardines," said Eva Barnes, who attended the program.

One man wanted to know if the problem made officers more reluctant to
arrest dealers.

"No one is happy with it, but that doesn't mean you don't do your job,"
Deputy Police Chief Tandy Carter said.

The police presentation came shortly before Monday's Community Action Group
meeting, which was attended by about 200 people. Several people commended
the presentation.

"I needed to know this. I needed to know what I could do to combat the drug
problem," said Veronica Bitting, who was recently hired as a family
resource director at the Village at Greenfield, a development that accepts
federal housing subsidies.

Sgt. Allsbrook said the presentation was important for residents who want
to stop drug use.

"Everyone knows that drugs are a problem, but if they want to help stop it,
they need to know a lot about it," he said.