ABILENE, TX — Abilene Police and the Texas Department of Public Safety teamed up to help eradicate drugs in the Big Country.
"Our citizens have for the second time in the community survey indicated that they believe that drug abuse is the most prevalent crime issue facing our city,” said Chief Stan Standridge with the Abilene Police Department. “Your police department affirms that.”
Most violence is associated with drug abuse, said Chief Standridge. A.P.D. and D.P.S.’ S.C.I.T. recently conducted a 4-day operation to address the issue.
"They made 4 arrests, they seized $29,675 in proceeds that are believed to be associated with drug abuse.” said Chief Standridge. “and they seized 9 kilos of cocaine.”
A.P.D. K-9 units have also help decrease the amount of drugs circulating the city since the beginning of the year.
"560 grams of methamphetamine, 286 grams of marijuana, 34 grams of cocaine, 10 grams of heroin, 166 miscellaneous illegal pills,” said Chief Standridge.
Meanwhile, according to the Abilene Regional Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse (ARCADA), more substance abusers are seeking help.
"Over half of the people who seek services with us have an issue with marijuana,” said Melanie Cook, director of operations at ARCADA. “That is followed closely by methamphetamine which is at 46 percent.”
Opioid abusers seeking help is at 10 percent and heroin is less than 4 percent.
"What we've noticed is that the trends are on the rise for heroin as far as usage and opioids but not as many people are seeking treatment,” said Cook.