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Beefed-Up Effort

FIGHTING THE drug problem is a challenging task. The Belmont County Drug Task Force, spearheaded by Martins Ferry Police Chief John McFarland, has done a superb job of getting illegal drugs off the streets and having traffickers placed behind bars.

Harrison County has now taken a huge step in curbing such illegal and harmful activity. The county has joined forces with Tuscarawas, Carroll and Holmes counties in the fight against drugs.

The Multi-County Drug Task Force has been established in an effort to work together to target high-intensity drug trafficking areas. The task force will embark on its mission Aug. 17.

It is an effort we fully embrace, and one we hope will make a dramatic impact on drug activity. Pooling resources such as manpower, equipment and information can only help in that respect. Each county will assign three officers to work within the task force.

In addition, annual traffic safety funds will help pay for Harrison County’s participation, while Tuscarawas County officials have maintained funds from dissolving a local drug task force to join the Multi-County Drug Task Force.

The four-county partnership will enable the task force to apply for more state grant money in the future. That, in turn, may provide more funds to purchase equipment to fight drug-related crimes.

Harrison County will also have access to additional full-time investigators. That alone, will likely identify drug traffickers.

Illegal drugs are a problem that will never be totally eliminated. The Belmont County Drug Task Force, however, has demonstrated major inroads can be made in that regard.

We commend Harrison County officials for stepping up their drug fight. We expect it will pay major dividends.

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