D.A.R.E. – Our Best Source to Win the War on Drugs

By John Kuykendall

The war on drugs continues and while I’m not sure the war can ever by won, law enforcement is putting a dent in the problem through Georgia.
Recently, several large drug busts have been made in the state and here are a few of the reports from those cases.
On Thursday, Feb. 12, law enforcement agencies executed 18 search warrants in connection to an investigation into a local trafficking organization operating in Muscogee, Harris and Russell counties.
According to a Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) press release during the execution of the 18 search warrants, approximately 2.2 pounds of suspected Cocaine, approximately 46 grams of suspected Fentanyl, approximately 2.5 pounds of suspected Marijuana, approximately 105 grams of suspected THC, approximately 101 suspected Hydrocodone Pills, and other assorted pills and drugs were seized. The total value of the drugs seized was $126,321.00. The Muscogee County Sheriff’s Office also seized $101,035.12 in U.S. currency and 14 vehicles.
According to the press release, the investigation remains active and ongoing. Additional arrests and charges are expected.
In early February, a massive drug bust was made in Glynn County and on St. Simons Island.
According to reports, in a coordinated effort, federal and local law enforcement agencies arrested 55 individuals involved in a major drug trafficking case in Glynn County and on St. Simons Island. The operation involved over 150 federal agents, deputies, and police officers and dismantled a drug trafficking organization moving large amounts of fentanyl, methamphetamine, MDMA, cocaine, crack cocaine, and marijuana throughout coastal Georgia.
In early December, the GBI arrested 10 people in a massive drug bust across several counties.
According to news reports at the time, in August, the GBI West Georgia Gang Task Force started investigating Ronnie Flemister, 43, for alleged drug trafficking.
Throughout the next several months, they identified people in Pike, Coweta and Clayton counties who they say were involved in a drug trafficking organization.
In early December, agents, officers and deputies served warrants at several locations in Pike, Upson and Clayton counties.
In total, investigators found 1,302 grams of meth, 198 grams of cocaine, 923 grams of ecstasy, 400 grams of marijuana, seven guns and $38,000 in cash.
All 10 people arrested were charged with use of a communication facility during the commission of a felony involving a controlled substance and conspiracy to violate the Georgia Controlled Substances Act.
As we all know, money is the driving force behind the sale of drugs. Just reading about these few cases it’s easy to tell that people involved in this have a lucrative income. So, I’m of the belief that as long as there is money to be made, drugs will continue to be sold.
The best way to win the war on drugs is through educating our youth as to the dangers involved in drug use and abuse.
Over the years, D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) has been a good tool to help educate our children about drug and alcohol abuse. The program is designed to help teach children and teenagers how to resits drugs and alcohol.
To save our kids should be the main goal and I believe D.A.R.E. is a good way to do so. You can help by donating to the cause. To donate, go to dare.org. Any donation is appreciated and may help save a life.