Arizona Attorney Recognized for Anti-Drug Efforts

Posted by azdrugrehabctr on August 11, 2014 under AZ Drug Rehab News | Comments are off for this article

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.

Border Control Efforts Threatened by Newly Designated National Monument

Posted by azdrugrehabctr on August 9, 2014 under AZ Drug Rehab News | Comments are off for this article

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.