Pubdate: Thu, 24 Jul 2003
Source: Parkersburg News, The (WV)
Copyright: 2003, The Parkersburg News
Contact:  http://www.newsandsentinel.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1648
Author: Brad Bauer

SHERIFF RENEWS CALL TO CREATE DRUG TASK FORCE

MARIETTA -The notion of forming a multi-jurisdictional narcotics task force 
is again being stressed by community members and Washington County Sheriff 
Bob Schlicher.

"I think Monday's incident (a house invasion and shooting on Harmar Street) 
illustrates there is a growing need for a task force," Schlicher said. "We 
need to get this going." After a rash of drug overdoses were reported in 
the area, the notion of forming the task force began to gain momentum 
earlier this year. It was something Schlicher had been calling for since 
early 2002. But budget concerns squashed the idea in March, when Marietta 
and Belpre balked at paying their shares.

Schlicher estimated the program would cost $120,000 to $150,000 for 
start-up and its first year of operation. Costs were to be divided equally, 
meaning the county and each city would need to come up with $40,000 to $50,000.

"It doesn't matter what it takes, we need to do something to combat this 
growing problem," said Charles Hunsaker, 58, of 735 Fifth St. "We need to 
give law enforcement the resources to get the job done. If we don't, this 
drug problem is going to completely overwhelm this community ... when we 
start having shootings like we just had, you kind of wonder if we aren't 
overwhelmed by it already."

The sheriff's proposal called for three officers - one each from the 
Marietta Police, Belpre Police and the sheriff's office - to organize and 
work under a joint board and coordinator to work exclusively to combat 
local drug trafficking. It was to be modeled after the Wood County Violent 
Crime and Narcotics Task Force.

"Start-up costs are always the hardest thing to overcome," said Wood County 
task force agent Doug Sturm. "If they can get a task force off the ground, 
I have no doubt it would benefit Washington County."
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom