SHERIFF RENEWS CALL TO CREATE DRUG TASK FORCE

MARIETTA -The notion of forming a multi-jurisdictional narcotics task force
is again being stressed by community members and Washington County Sheriff
Bob Schlicher.

"I think Monday's incident (a house invasion and shooting on Harmar Street)
illustrates there is a growing need for a task force," Schlicher said. "We
need to get this going." After a rash of drug overdoses were reported in
the area, the notion of forming the task force began to gain momentum
earlier this year. It was something Schlicher had been calling for since
early 2002. But budget concerns squashed the idea in March, when Marietta
and Belpre balked at paying their shares.

Schlicher estimated the program would cost $120,000 to $150,000 for
start-up and its first year of operation. Costs were to be divided equally,
meaning the county and each city would need to come up with $40,000 to $50,000.

"It doesn't matter what it takes, we need to do something to combat this
growing problem," said Charles Hunsaker, 58, of 735 Fifth St. "We need to
give law enforcement the resources to get the job done. If we don't, this
drug problem is going to completely overwhelm this community ... when we
start having shootings like we just had, you kind of wonder if we aren't
overwhelmed by it already."

The sheriff's proposal called for three officers - one each from the
Marietta Police, Belpre Police and the sheriff's office - to organize and
work under a joint board and coordinator to work exclusively to combat
local drug trafficking. It was to be modeled after the Wood County Violent
Crime and Narcotics Task Force.

"Start-up costs are always the hardest thing to overcome," said Wood County
task force agent Doug Sturm. "If they can get a task force off the ground,
I have no doubt it would benefit Washington County."