Solutions suggested

Illegal narcotics and what to do about them perplexes police and citizens alike. I hear many solutions from various sources, most of which disregard the Constitution of the United States, on how to stop narcotics. If anyone knew how to do this successfully, we would not have this problem. It would have been solved long ago.

I believe that, to attack the problems facing Adair and nearby counties, more money is needed for informants, technical aids such as cameras, video equipment, tape recorders and devices for wiring informants and undercover agents.

The returns will result in more arrests, convictions and seizure of property that will be sold and the proceeds put back in the fund set up for these efforts. Not long ago the Adair County Sheriff's Office received over $40,000 from the sale of property seized as a result of a narcotics conviction.

There is a dire need for the area city police departments and county sheriffs' offices to make arrangements for a formal means of exchanging criminal intelligence.

Good intelligence essential

Simply put, good intelligence is essential to effective law enforcement efforts.

An example would be for someone from each agency in nearby counties to meet once every month, with meetings rotating from town to town.

One month a city policeman might be the representative of his county, the next month, it might be someone from the sheriff's office.

Discussions of intelligence matters that are of interest to working officers is a must if we expect to do the best we can in combating the drug problem.