The Lawrence County Drug-Major Crimes Task Force operates in Lawrence County to identify, arrest and prosecute drug traffickers.

The Task Force was formed in 1998 as a result of a grant submission provided to the Ohio Office of Criminal Justice Services.

On Sept. 25, the Drug Enforcement Administration held a National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day.

Locally, our Task Force coordinated a drug take-back program, offering five drop-off sites and collected 44 pounds of prescription drugs.

The drugs collected were transferred in sealed containers to DEA agents for proper disposal.

The participating agencies included personnel from the Lawrence County Sheriff’s office, Ironton Police Department, Coal Grove Police Department, Lawrence and Scioto Solid Waste and the Lawrence Drug/Major Crimes Task Force.

There were various reasons we chose to coordinate this project. Among those:

1. In 2007, the first time in Ohio, unintentional drug overdose deaths exceeded motor vehicle crash deaths;

2.The Center for Disease Control reports unintentional drug poisoning deaths for those age 15-24 increased 113% from 1999-2004;

3. To allow for proper collection and disposal of unwanted prescription drugs;

4. Reduce the amount of unneeded and unwanted controlled substances in the homes of our elderly;

5. Reduce the number of prescription medicines in all homes to further efforts in preventing teenage prescription drug abuse.

There has been an increased prescription drug trafficking and abuse problem throughout Ohio and Lawrence County.

This problem is represented in the fact the Task Force has investigated over 40 individuals for selling prescription narcotics.

Many of those have already been indicted and arrested.

In addition to investigations Task Force staff will provide public awareness education to aid in the identifying factors of drug use and will provide prevention tips.

To schedule a presentation, contact me at the Lawrence County Prosecutor’s Office at (740) 533-4360.

Tim Sexton is a member of the Lawrence County Drug-Major Crimes Task Force.