Pubdate: Thu, 25 Mar 2004
Source: Jackson Sun News (TN)
Copyright: 2004 The Jackson Sun
Contact:  http://www.jacksonsun.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1482
Author: Julie Dodson

MIDDLETON - COPS WANT TOWN TO HELP OUT WITH ITS DRUG PROBLEM

The Community Is Trying To Stop It Before It Gets Eve Worse.

''We have to deal with it - try to control it the best we can,''
Sheriff Delphus Hicks said.

The ''it'' is drugs, a growing problem for all of Hardeman County and
other West Tennessee communities. That's why Middleton Police are
kicking off a Drug Watch Program tonight at the Middleton Community
Center.

The ''kick-off'' forum will be held at 6:30 p.m., featuring guest
speaker Barry Michaels of the Jackson Police Department's Metro
Narcotics Unit.

''We're trying to get the citizens involved and give them information
about drugs,'' Middleton Police Chief Monroe Jordan said.

In 2000, Middleton had more than 200 drug busts, Jordan said. All
kinds of drugs are a problem for the area, including methamphetamine
and marijuana, he added.

Things are a little better now in the small town of 670.

''It has slowed down, but it's still a problem,'' Jordan said. The
town has had 20 drug cases already this year.

The increase in drug use has led to an increase in crime, Mayor James
Maxwell said. Since drugs are ''easy money'' for anyone that sells
them, drug sales have become more popular, he added.

He is most concerned about the youth of the community.

''We've seen what it's doing to our young people,'' Maxwell said. ''We
personally feel that drugs are affecting more of our young people's
lives right now than alcohol.

''We want them (the youth) to do well and not be involved in something
bad,'' he said, adding that the program is the best way to start.

For those that do get mixed up with drugs, there should be
consequences, he said.

''We want tougher laws. We want people who get caught with drugs to be
punished,'' he said.

Concerned citizens and parents are encouraged to attend tonight's
meeting and ask questions. A hotline number will be available for
citizens to report any suspicious activity.

If you go

A Drug Watch Program kick-off forum will be held at 6:30 p.m. today at
the Middleton Community Center.
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin