Pubdate: Mon, 22 May 2006
Source: Herald-Dispatch, The (Huntington, WV)
Copyright: 2006 The Herald-Dispatch
Contact:  http://www.hdonline.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1454
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine)

OTHER CITIES DEALING WITH DRUG PROBLEMS

Huntington's problem is being felt in cities and towns across the 
United States, including several locations in Ohio where their police 
departments have been battling Detroit-area drug dealers for more 
than a decade. Here's how they assess their situations:

Maj. Bill Collins of the Marion Police Department said his officers 
could work around the clock and they would not be able to eradicate 
the problem.  ADVERTISEMENT

"We're losing, in my opinion," he said. "Back when it started, we 
could get rid of a three or four of Detroit drug dealers, and it 
would be a while before others would show up. Now there are just so 
many here, that we'll never get rid of all the Detroit people. The 
money is just so good here that it's worth the risk to them."

Canton Police Lt. Ron Shank was recently reassigned to his 
department's drug unit.

"I'd say we're just maintaining," he said. "We've had some very key 
arrests, and what that does is slow things down for a while. But as 
far as putting a serious dent in it, no, we're just maintaining."

A recent arrest included one convicted drug dealer who had already 
served five years in prison. Shank said nine ounces of cocaine and 
four ounces of crack were confiscated, and the man's 13-year-old son 
was holding the crack.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman