Pubdate: Wed, 20 Aug 2008
Source: Greensboro News & Record (NC)
Copyright: 2008 Greensboro News & Record, Inc.
Contact:  http://www.news-record.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/173
Author: Ryan Seals
Referenced: the show http://drugsense.org/url/pDklZr2t

ABC PROGRAM LOOKS AT ANTI-DRUG PROGRAM CREATED IN HIGH POINT

HIGH POINT - ABC News "Primetime" will feature a report tonight about 
the success of a drug intervention program, which originated with the 
High Point Police Department and has since been used to curb the open 
air drug market and violence in Hempstead, N.Y.

The report profiles the Overt Drug Market Intervention Strategy, or 
High Point Initiative. The program was started with the High Point 
Police Department in 2004 and continues to produce results, High 
Point Lt. Steve Myers said.

Through the program, Myers said, the High Point police target 
different areas of the city by identifying drug dealers and violent 
offenders. "There are some really bad guys that we take off the 
street right away," Myers said. "We tell the others they can end up 
like this guy (in jail) or straighten up."

Myers said the Overt Drug Market Intervention Strategy is a promise 
to vigorously prosecute repeat, violent and/or group offenders who 
continue to engage in violent activity.

It also is an offer by the community to assist those who want to 
change their lifestyles by delivering the tools to do so.

Officers work with the Guilford County District Attorney's Office, 
federal officials and concerned citizens.

"The old-fashioned method of going out on the street and arresting as 
many people as you can - that only works if you have a large number 
of jails," Myers said. "It never stops the drug activity and 
violence." The Overt Drug Market Intervention Strategy has been used 
to reduce drug activity and violence in High Point's West End and 
South Side neighborhoods and is underway in the East Green Drive area.

Since May 2004, the West End area has seen a 54 percent reduction 
overall in violent crime and a 25 percent reduction in drug-related 
crime as a result of the program, said Maj. Marty Sumner.

In addition to Hempstead, ABC reported that eight other cities have 
implemented the program and 10 others have received federal grants to 
do so. The Hemstead story airs tonight at 10 p.m. on ABC 45. 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake