Ohio AG Announces New Anti-Meth Effort

Four Jurisdictions Take Part in Ohio Methamphetamine Pilot Initiative

December 17, 2007 -- Ohio Attorney General Marc Dann and partners, Clermont County Sheriff A.J. Rodenberg and Highland County Sheriff Ron Ward, jointly announce the Ohio Methamphetamine Pilot Initiative (OMPI), a proactive multi-jurisdictional approach to safely eradicate the production and use of meth and its ill effects on Ohio communities.

The $ 2 million project, funded by the U.S. Department of Justice’s Community Oriented Policing Services, is a two year initiative involving the Clermont County Sheriff’s Office, the Highland County Sheriff’s Office, the Ashtabula County Sheriff’s Office, the City of Akron, and the Attorney General’s Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation (BCI&I).

“Ohio is not immune to the crisis of methamphetamine use and the threat it poses to our neighborhoods, our peace officers, and our children,” said Attorney General Dann. “The scourge of meth demands powerful partnerships and unique solutions and this collaborative effort is just that. Meth use doesn’t just affect the meth cooks and users. It has deep and lasting effects on the community as a whole – crushing dreams and devastating communities."

“Meth rips into the fabric of our neighborhoods in so many ways,” commented Clermont County Sheriff A.J. Rodenberg. “Young children are often found at risk where meth labs are operating, many of whom are placed in foster care as meth orphans. I am grateful for the partnership we've forged with the creation of the Ohio Methamphetamine Pilot Initiative. It will be a valuable weapon for attacking the scourge of meth in our community."

“In dealing with methamphetamine, we’re talking about well-organized rings of cooks and distributors who spend a great deal of time setting up these volatile labs,” said Highland County Sheriff Ron Ward. “It’s not just about putting themselves in danger, they put every family near that lab at risk. This multi-agency initiative will send the message that we simply won’t tolerate it."

Within the OMPI, Clermont and Highland Counties and the other local jurisdictions will use intelligence led, data driven policing. The agencies will receive specialized equipment and resources, including hazardous material protective gear, air quality meters, and surveillance technology.

Other anti-meth tools which will be used include community policing such as “knock and talks,” public awareness campaigns, and up to date training by BCI to keep partnering agencies at the forefront of this fight and educate officers on the safe dismantling of toxic and volatile methamphetamine labs.

A research component is also part of the OMPI for use in evaluating a best practices model for Ohio in an effort to make it easier for additional communities experiencing meth-related crimes to replicate.

For more information on facts and the dangers of methamphetamine, visit AG4OHIO.gov : Go to “Help Law Enforcement” and click on “meth leads."

Source: Ohio Attorney General

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