January 25, 2024 - Bedford County Commissioner Launches Anti-Drug Coalition By Joshua Blevins At Tuesday evening’s Rules and Legislative Committee, Bedford County Commissioner Eric Maddox presented a matter that has been close to his heart for a while, aiming to provide solutions to the drug problem in our community. Over the past several months, he has worked behind the scenes, engaging with key individuals to form a group of experts known as the Bedford County Anti-Drug Coalition. Among the agencies he has been in contact with are members of the Bedford County Sheriff's Department, the 17th Judicial Drug Task Force, and Bedford County Schools. The Coalition aims to bring together representatives from various entities at a series of meetings starting in February, including members of the Sheriff’s office, the Drug Task Force, several County Commissioners, Shelbyville city police personnel, Bedford County Schools staff, pastors, and others. The mission statement of the Coalition is: “Through assessment, education, enforcement, and rehabilitation; we are committed to work cross functionally, utilizing all available resources, in an intentional effort to help fight illegal drug activity in Bedford County.” Commissioner Maddox emphasized that the target of the coalition is not to point fingers but rather to provide solutions. He presented several pillars he hopes to organize around, starting with honest, accurate assessments of data available (like the recently-released Drug Task Force numbers). He also hopes to work cross functionally between the various agencies and groups in the coalition, supporting existing programs while also looking for new solutions. Additionally he plans to inform the public of all actions and activities taken by the coalition. He ended his presentation by stating that his number one goal is to just help one person. That one person can then influence all the people around them, their community, their family, their friends, their coworkers.
He thanked the committee for their time and asked for the blessing of the committee members. He was met with visible support from most of the members of the committee, but committee member Greg Vick spoke up at the end of the presentation with a number of questions. Commissioner Vick stated that “everybody on this county commission agree that drugs are the number one problem in our community and all want to find a solution.” He then asked if Mr. Maddox had checked with the District Attorney, County Mayor, or Judge Rich on this Coalition. Mr. Maddox responded that he had not, but that he had spoken with the director of the Drug Task Force and the Chief Deputy. Mr. Vick further asked what Commissioner Maddox was asking of the committee. He said it appeared Mr. Maddox was just presenting the Coalition as “fait accompli" to the committee. Mr. Vick then stated he didn't want to be interfering with ongoing investigations or proceedings in the judicial system. Mr. Maddox replied that the Coalition will only be dealing with publicly-available information and not discussing ongoing investigations.
Following this exchange, Commissioner Biff Farrar spoke up and said that "anything we can push, any type of initiative to help with the drug situation is well done." A few minutes later, at the beginning of the Law Enforcement Committee meeting, County Commissioner and Bedford County Fire Chief Mark Thomas gave a strong, heartfelt endorsement to the new Coalition. He spoke of his own family's struggles with addiction and stated he supports the initiative 100%.
Shelbyville NOW will be attending the upcoming meetings of the Bedford County Anti-Drug Coalition and will be reporting on the actions and activities taken.
|
