MONROE, SUMMERS SHERIFFS TEAM UP TO FIGHT DRUG USE

UNION - The Monroe and Summers sheriffs' departments are combining efforts
and resources to crack down on drug dealing. Their efforts have already
borne fruit. Monroe County Sheriff Gerald Bland said the drug trade is
"going back and forth across the (county) lines." The departments agreed to
form a task force to stop the flow.

The departments signed a mutual aid agreement Feb. 13, Bland said.

Monday, they served a search warrant in Ballard, resulting in the arrest of
38-year-old Anthony Wade Handy. Bland said Handy was charged with two
counts possession with intent to deliver. Police found cocaine and
marijuana valued at $5,500 and a significant amount of cash at the residence.

Bland said drugs are prevalent in Monroe County. The task force is an
attempt to unify efforts to stop the drug trade.

Summers County Sheriff Garry E. Wheeler said, "If we don't get to the root
of it, we're never going to stop it." A lot of drug trade into Summers is
coming from neighboring Monroe.

The task force includes both sheriffs, Monroe Sgt. John Farmer, Monroe
Deputy Mark Huffman, Summers Chief Deputy Butch Worley and Summers Deputy
Roger Bircham.