FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q= CAN I REMAIN ANONYMOUS IF I REPORT A DRUG VIOLATION?
A= ANYONE CAN CALL AND REPORT A VIOLATION. GIVING PERSONAL INFORMATION IS OPTIONAL AND THE STRIKE FORCE MAKES NO ATTEMPT TO IDENTIFY THE COMPLAINANT IN CASES. SOME PEOPLE LIKE TO LEAVE A CONTACT NAME AND A TELEPHONE NUMBER SO INVESTIGATORS CAN CHECK IN AND UPDATE THE COMPLAINANT.

Q= WHAT IS BEING DONE WITH MY COMPLAINT/ WHY HASN'T ANYTHING BEEN DONE WITH MY COMPLAINT?
A= EVERY DRUG COMPLAINT REPORTED TO THE STRIKE FORCE IS RECORDED INTO A REPORT AND IS ASSIGNED TO AN INVESTIGATOR. THE INVESTIGATOR HAS TO FOLLOW ALL LAWS WHILE PERFORMING AN INVESTIGATION ON A SUSPECT OR SUSPECTS ADDRESS, INCLUDING STATE, LOCAL, FEDERAL AND CONSTITUTIONAL LAW THAT PROTECTS ALL OF US. ONCE AN INVESTIGATOR RECEIVES A CASE, THEY BEGIN AN INVESTIGATION THAT MAY TAKE SOME TIME. LONG TERM INVESTIGATIONS MAY BEGIN OR THE INVESTIGATOR MAY FIND THAT THE COMPLAINT IS UNFOUNDED FOR ONE REASON OR ANOTHER. IN A MAJORITY OF THE CASES, A COMPLAINANT CAN REQUEST CONTACT FROM THE INVESTIGATOR FOR A BRIEFING ON THE OUTCOME OF THE CASE.

Q= WHAT INFORMATION DO YOU NEED?
A= WHEN REPORTING A DRUG VIOLATION, AS MUCH INFORMATION AS POSSIBLE IS HELPFUL. FULL NAMES AND ADDRESSES ARE CRITICAL BUT LIMITED INFORMATION IS ACCEPTABLE. A DESCRIPTION OF INVOLVED PERSONS ALONG WITH DESCRIPTIONS OF INVOLVED VEHICLES AND RESIDENCES MAY BE NEEDED. TELL US WHAT YOU ARE OBSERVING AND WHAT YOU THINK MAY BE GOING ON AND WHY. WE CAN NEVER HAVE TOO MUCH INFORMATION. FOR OFFICER SAFETY REASONS, DO YOU SUSPECT OR KNOW IF THE SUSPECT HAS GUNS OR OTHER DANGEROUS WEAPONS. DO THEY HAVE CHILDREN LIVING IN THE HOME?

Q= WHAT DO I DO IF I FIND DRUGS OR DRUG PARAPHERNALIA?
A= ALWAYS ASSUME THAT WHAT YOU FIND MAY BE A HEALTH HAZARD. GIVE THE LOCAL POLICE A CALL AND REPORT YOUR FIND, GIVING THEM A DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ITEM OR ITEMS FOUND. DEPENDING ON WHAT THE ITEMS MAY BE, A UNIFORMED POLICE OFFICER OR A DETECTIVE FROM THE STRIKE FORCE MAY RESPOND AND COLLECT THE ITEMS. IF IT IS DETERMINED THAT THE ITEM IS NOT DRUG RELATED OR DANGEROUS, YOU MAY RECEIVE OTHER INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO DISPOSE OF THE ITEM.

Q= IF I HAVE A CHILD OR A LOVED ONE ON DRUGS, WHAT CAN I DO?
A= THIS IS A SENSITIVE MATTER. THERE ARE SEVERAL OPTIONS YOU CAN TAKE. ONE OPTION IS TO CALL THE STRIKE FORCE OR LOCAL POLICE. THIS USUALLY REQUIRES SOMEONE TO BE BREAKING THE LAW BY BEING UNDER THE INFLUENCE AT THAT TIME OR ACTUALLY BEING IN POSSESSION OF DRUGS. OFFICERS ARE USUALLY REQUIRED TO MAKE AN ARREST IN THESE CASES. AS A PARENT OF A JUVENILE, YOU CAN PLACE YOUR CHILD INTO A TREATMENT PROGRAM AGAINST THEIR WILL, ADULTS MUST BE VOLUNTARY UNLESS COURT ORDERED. YOU CAN FIND A LINK TO AVAILABLE TREATMENT PROGRAMS IN THIS WEB SITE.

Q= WHAT IF SOMETHING IS HAPPENING RIGHT NOW?
A= YOU CAN CALL THE STRIKE FORCE TIP A COP LINE AND MAKE A REPORT. IF YOUR COMPLAINT REQUIRES IMMEDIATE ACTION, CALL THE LOCAL POLICE DEPARTMENT. IF THE SITUATION IS LIFE THREATENING, CALL 911.

Q= WHAT DO DRUGS LOOK LIKE?
A= THERE ARE MANY DIFFERENT TYPES OF DRUGS IN OUR COMMUNITY. EACH DRUG HAS IT'S OWN LOOK AND SYMPTOMS. YOU CAN VIEW DIFFERENT DRUGS AND THEIR SYMPTOMS IN THIS WEB SITE.

Q= I THINK I HAVE A METH LAB IN MY NEIGHBOR HOOD, HOW CAN I TELL?
A= THERE ARE MANY SIGNS THAT CAN INDICATE SOMEONE IS RUNNING A METH LAB. THE MOST OBVIOUS ONE WOULD BE THE OVERWHELMING STRONG CHEMICAL ODOR. IN DAYS OF OLD THE PUBLIC WAS WARNED OF A CAT URINE ODOR. THIS CAT URINE ODOR WAS CONNECTED WITH AN OLD METHOD OF MAKING METH. NEWER METHODS INVOLVE SEVERAL CHEMICALS THAT CAN STINK UP AN ENTIRE BLOCK. WATCH FOR NEIGHBORS THAT NEVER TAKE THEIR GARBAGE OUT AND SEEM TO NEVER SLEEP. LOOK FOR LARGE QUANTITIES OF GAS LINE ANTIFREEZE (HEAT BOTTLES) OR COLD TABLET BOXES IN THE YARD. COOKS LIKE TO SET UP LABS IN SHEDS OR BASEMENTS AND USUALLY VENT THEM WITH A FAN OR AIR CONDITIONER THAT BLOWS OUT INSTEAD OF IN. IF YOU SUSPECT A LAB IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD, CALL THE STRIKE FORCE OR LOCAL POLICE IMMEDIATELY.