(Spirit Lake)– A meeting of representatives of various community groups, governmental entities, law enforcement agencies and individual citizens was held Thursday in Spirit Lake. The group is looking into the possibility of starting up a grass-roots coalition to help address the region’s growing problems with drugs and substance abuse.
Over 40 people attended the session, coordinated by the Spirit Lake Police Department.
One of the issues drawing the most concern was a lack of resources to combat the problem. It ranges from a lack of manpower and funding for law enforcement, prosecution, and for prevention and treatment programs. A lack of treatment facilities is also a concern.
Police Chief Jon Martyr says he’ll be meeting next week with some of the keyplayers in Thursday’s meeting to see where to go from here as far as forming a coalition.
