Getting drugs off the streets of Ironton and Lawrence County won’t happen overnight — and it will take constant vigilance — but at least county law enforcement agencies appear to be making it a priority.

Nine people were arrested last week on a variety of drug charges. While all these individuals are certainly innocent until proven guilty in a court of law, it is encouraging to see that the drug problem has the attention of the authorities.

The Lawrence County Drug Task Force should be commended for taking this positive step toward making our communities safer.

And we hope that this is just the tip of the iceberg.

Drug use has continued to spread with epidemic type efficiency in recent years, with prescription pain medicine and heroin grabbing headlines far too often.

Law enforcement must find a way to make arresting drug dealers a priority. It will take a constant and consistent effort.

But it will also take a comprehensive approach by the community and the courts.

Citizens need to call the Drug Task Force at (740) 534-5830. They need to document what they see. They also need to come together with their neighbors so that residents can be fully aware of what is going on within their neighborhoods.

Our county’s court system must also do its part by administering appropriate punishments and mandating treatment programs to help individuals with drug problems turn their lives around.

Police work doesn’t happen overnight though so it is important that citizens remain patient and allow the system time to be effective.