FRANKLIN COUNTY, FL (WTXL) -- In Franklin County, the Sheriff's office is kicking off an anti-drug campaign with a special focus on the younger generation.
Sheriff Smith says illegal drugs are a big problem in Franklin County. A program to raise community awareness has been discussed for months and the Sheriff's Department is looking forward to kicking it off this month.
Sheriff Smith says 90% of the people is his jail are there for drug-related crimes. He tells us the drug problem is multi generational and that's why his campaign focuses on educating children of all ages. The other area of focus is on rehabilitation for drug users, or incarceration if necessary.
Sheriff Smith says, if the community can solve the drug problem, that will help law enforcement solve other crimes in the county. He says, "I think success stories are really big because there's probably a lot of people who are involved in drugs that think there is no way out, but there is. There is help and there is hope." Sheriff Smith adds, meth and opioids are their biggest problem.
He and his deputies will visit schools across Franklin County to teach kids about the impacts drugs have on not just the user, but also their loved ones. The Fresh Start program is already mentoring inmates at Franklin County jail to help them become pro-active community members.
