Mount Hood Coalition Against Drug Crime

A Volunteer Community Outreach Program

NEWS RELEASE

John P. Walters- "Drug Czar"
Director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy
visits the
Mt. Hood Coalition Against Drug Crime
while on his 25 Cities Initiative-Tour to Portland

While Director John P. Walters is visiting Portland for his 25 Cities Initiative-Tour, he will take the opportunity on Wednesday August 13th to visit with the Mt. Hood Coalition Against Drug Crime-a community coalition that takes a strong stand against illegal drug crime in its community.

For the last five years, the Mt. Hood Coalition Against Drug Crime has partnered with law enforcement and prosecution officials to help drive the pestilence of drug crime off the mountain.

At end of last year the Mt. Hood Coalition Against Drug Crime was the recipient of a $100,000 Drug Free Communities Grant through the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy in which the coalition has partnered with the Oregon Trail School District to help educate youth about the dangers of illegal drugs, as well as providing an alternative class for risk kids, and the committee is in the process of researching for the development of a first time offender program.
The Mt. Hood Coalition Against Drug Crime is not shy about the stance they take-they currently have 85 members and 18 active committee's, all designed to address the illegal drugs in the community.

ATTENTION EDITORS: Director Walter's will visit the site of a demolished suspected drug house while visiting with the Mt. Hood Coalition Against Drug Crime and there will be a very short photograph and interview opportunity with the Director on: Wednesday, August 13th, from 2:20pm-2:30pm at the site of a recently demolished Meth-contaminated house.

Most recently the coalition supported the new owners in the tear down of this suspected drug house, which occurred on August 2, of 2003. Only those living next to a suspected drug house can truly enjoy how important it is when one of these houses are demolished! Not only does the threat of crime, domestic violence, abused children, abused animals, burglary and loss of property value cease, but the hearts of good citizens are renewed and refreshed!

"Clackamas County Sheriff Pat Detloff said the Sheriff's Office would have been able to come to the aid of neighbors of the E. Faubion Loop property earlier if the newly enacted Clackamas County Chronic Nuisance Ordinance had been in effect sooner. He states, "By utilizing the new Chronic Nuisance Ordinance and working in partnership with the community, we will effectively and efficiently target those owners who allow crime and nuisance problems to continue to thrive on their properties. Had we been able to use this tool for the E. Faubion Loop property, we would have been able to quickly shut it down. The Chronic Nuisance Ordinance will improve the livability of all citizens within the county."

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE MT. HOOD COALITION AGAINST DRUG CRIME:

Contact Liaison: Deputy Joel Manley
Public Information Office
Clackamas County Sheriff’s Dept.
503-655-8865

Mount Hood Coalition Against Drug Crime
P.O. Box 1351 - Welches, OR 97067