Growing drug problem

Georgia has the ninth largest overall population of the fifty states, but with more than 53,000 inmates, the fifth largest prison population. The Georgia Department of Corrections reports that the system’s population increases by about 5,000 inmates per year, with 23,000 incoming and 18,000 being released.

The system’s total budget is slightly more than $1 billion, and the department is asking for an additional $50 million in the next state budget.

A rapidly growing factor in these numbers is the increase of convictions for crimes related to methamphetamine. According to a recent article in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 250 to 300 people are going to prison every month on meth-related charges. These include manufacturing, distributing and possession, as well as assorted crimes to support their meth habits. Five years ago, according to the Corrections Department, only 50 people per month were being jailed on meth charges.

Sheriff Greg Coursey is well aware of the growing problem in this county. His department keeps a close watch on drug-related activity here, as evidenced by the action taken in the arrest last week of alleged dealer Stephen Boyette. Coursey responded quickly to a tip which resulted in one of the most important drug busts in many years.

Though methamphetamine was not part of the inventory in this case, its presence is growing here just as in other areas.

The bottom line is that if we are to go after this problem aggressively, it is going to be expensive. We believe the Burke County Sheriff’s Department is operated as efficiently as possible, given the vast amount of territory encompassed by the county. Our jail operates at or near capacity at all times, but does not suffer the over-crowding problems of many of our neighbors. If the Department of Corrections is seeking a 5 percent per year increase in its budget for growth of the state’s prison system, it follows that local law enforcement will face the same challenge.

Meth related crimes and the suspected growth of local gang activity are going to put a strain on law enforcement agencies here and elsewhere. Fortunately, we have the resources to begin to prepare for it. We hope our elected officials will work together to continue the fight against this serious problem.