Posted by azdrugrehabctr on August 15, 2014 under AZ Drug Rehab News | 
When a couple living on a ranch in Arizona suspected that illegal immigrants were sneaking through their property, they set up hidden cameras in the hopes of catching the trespassers. What they found indicates more of a problem than they originally thought.
Jim and Sue Chilton have long feared the immigrants sneaking through their property – simply because of the illegal activity. They have come face to face with armed trespassers and even caught them sneaking through their home. The Chiltons were sure that these immigrants were also smuggling drugs through their property and had alerted law enforcement several times. Because of the demand on law enforcement in the Arizona towns that border Mexico, it was hard to get anything done without proof that there was a problem.
When law enforcement failed to provide assistance, the Chiltons turned to SecureBorderIntel.org, an advocate group that helps people protect their property from drug smugglers. The group helped to set up cameras on the Chiltons’ 50,000-acre ranch in the hopes they would catch the smugglers in action. When the group came back to check the video footage, they found several groups of men carrying backpacks known to be used in the smuggling of drugs.
Illegal immigration and the smuggling of drugs into Arizona is a problem that ripples throughout the state and the rest of the country. Trespassing and smuggling is so prevalent in this area that families like the Chiltons have resorted to walking around their property in groups, rather than go out alone. Illegal immigrants smuggling drugs into Arizona are oftentimes armed and dangerous.
Now that the Chiltons have gathered evidence proving their land is being overrun with smugglers, law enforcement in Tucson have increased their security in the area. “Tucson Sector has rancher liaisons who are in constant contact with our stakeholders, including the Chilton family…Tucson Sector has deployed additional resources at the Chilton ranch to include personnel and technology,” stated the Tucson Police Department.
Posted by azdrugrehabctr on August 11, 2014 under AZ Drug Rehab News |
Karen Hobbs, Chief Deputy County Attorney in La Paz County, was honored for her efforts in helping children who come from families with a history of drug addiction. Hobbs was presented with an award from the Arizona High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA). The group’s goal is to facilitate, support and enhance collaborative drug control efforts among law enforcement. Hobbs was recognized after she worked with different law enforcement groups to educate them on signs that a child is in a drug-endangered environment and successfully protected a child from the actions of their parents who were manufacturing methamphetamine.
HIDTA was impressed with Hobbs’ dedication to the cause, stating that, “she took to heart the recommendations for prosecuting parents that subject their children to a drug environment”. She had one case where the parents were both engaged in making methamphetamine. Instead of just prosecuting them for manufacturing drugs, Hobbs also cited their parental negligence and child endangerment. She charged both the parents with Contributing to Delinquency and Dependency – a class 1 misdemeanor. The statute states that it is against the law to put a child in harm’s way. Hobbs successfully pointed out that the dangers of making methamphetamine certainly warranted a harmful environment for the child. The child was taken from the custody of her parent’s and placed in a safer environment. This was one of the first times a prosecutor successfully used this statute to protect a child.
After the case Hobbs went on to co-host an educational forum to help law enforcement recognize when a child is in danger. During the meeting Hobbs recognized Curt Bagby, the Lieutenant that followed up with the child and who’s investigation made it possible for Hobbs to prosecute the parents. Hobbs presented Bagby with the first La Paz DEC Award for his persistent efforts to protect the child.
Currently Hobbs is working with the state of Arizona to change and strengthen the laws that protect minors from parents who are engaging in drug-related behavior. One thing that law enforcement can tend to lose sight of is that people can recover from their addictions and become good parents again. It is agreed that children should be protected from dangerous environments, but the system should also be set up to work toward reuniting them all as a healthy family once again.
Posted by azdrugrehabctr on August 9, 2014 under AZ Drug Rehab News |
In May, President Obama designated a portion of New Mexico’s state line to be recognized as a protected national monument despite common border security concerns. Those who oppose the president’s decision argued that creating a national monument on the border would hinder efforts to police any drug activity or trafficking coming in from Mexico.
This issue also reignited debates about Arizona, a state whose border sees tons of pounds of illegal drugs smuggled into the United States. In both states, local and federal law enforcement officials are hoping to garner enough manpower and resources to effectively police the borders, and many feel that this designation will represent a step backwards in this effort.
The White House subsequently issued a statement reassuring the public that the new monument will in no way impact border control’s ability to monitor state lines, however some people are not convinced. Speaker of the House, John Boehner was one of the first people to announce their displeasure with the new monument distinction.
The primary intention of the The White House in making the land a monument is to protect and preserve it. “I have personally seen from my time in Arizona how pristine landscapes can be quickly destroyed after illegal encampment, covered in trash and waste,” explained Brandon Judd, a Border Patrol agent and president of the National Border Patrol Council.
Many feel that the president ignored the opinions of local authorities and residents when approving the designation for the sake of preservation. As a result, the U.S. Border Patrol, as well as, state and local law enforcement officers will no longer have full access to nearly 500,000 acres of land near the Mexican border. Many argue that the effort to protect the land, now known as the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument, will have no impact on those using the land for drug smuggling and human trafficking. Some even predict that those hoping to elude authorities will benefit since Border Patrol will now face delays when cutting through “red tape” to be able to access the area.
Posted by azdrugrehabctr on August 5, 2014 under Opiate Abuse, Prescription Drugs |
Prescription drug abuse is a widespread epidemic that is sweeping the nation. Most addicts report that they obtain prescription painkillers by searching through medicine cabinets and stealing anything they find. Many people will have a prescription for these drugs, use what they need and then forget that they have the drugs in their home. In order to handle this problem, the Arizona State University Police Department and other law enforcement agencies throughout the Phoenix area are working together to bring awareness to the necessity of disposing of any unused prescriptions.
Ten new drug collection containers will be placed throughout Phoenix police departments. “ASU’S Police Department is committed to the safety of the university community, and this service is available for any citizen to use. Dropping off unused prescription drugs for safe disposal by police ensures that dangerous substances won’t be used for illicit purposes,” explained Michael Thompson of the ASU Police Department.
Getting these harmful and highly addictive drugs off the street is a high priority for police and policymakers. Phoenix is a city that is filled with college students and children who do not need to fall victim to a prescription drug abuse problem. New statistics show that most heroin addicts started their opiate addictions by consuming prescription pain medication. The hope is that by reducing the availability of prescription painkillers, lawmakers are effectively preventing people from becoming addicted to heroin in the future.
Making sure that residents of the community have a safe place to drop off unused medications is not a new thing; but the more communities that implement this service the more difficult it is for addicts to get their hands on the drugs. The hope is that more and more communities throughout Arizona will follow Phoenix’s lead and establish drop off sites within their own communities. While Arizona State University’s container has yet to be installed, it will be soon. Until the container is installed, anyone can dispose of their unused medications in other containers throughout the city. Arizona State University has also created an interactive map on their website where people can locate the nearest drop off site.
