Federal 'Safe Indian Communities' Initiative Expands to San Carlos Apache Reservation

Interior Secretary Ken Salazar announced last week that the Safe Indian Communities initiative is being expanded to two more reservations, including the San Carlos Apache Reservation.

Salazar says that the inititive has helped reduce violent crime by 35% on four reservations.in its first two years. The initial goal was to reduce violent crime by at least 5%.

The initiative increases law enforcement presence and training on tribal lands to combat the production and distribution of methamphetamine by organized crime and drug cartels. Government funding is also provided to increase staffing and training for detention centers that are facing an increase in the incarceration of violent offenders.

The violent crime rate on the San Carlos Apache Reservation is ten times the national average.

Drug Awareness Walk on Saturday

Copper Basin Coalition presents a Drug Awareness Walk on Saturday at 8:am. A Dump the Drugs event will be at Fry’s from 8:am until Noon. The purpose of the Walk is to raise awareness of prescription drug abuse.

The Drug Awareness Walk in Globe will begin at the empty lot next to the Dollar Tree store. The Miami Walk begins at the RE Monks parking lot. The two groups will meet at the Little League fields at US 60 and Live Oak.

For more information contact the Copper Basin Coalition at 425-9276.

Drop Off Unused or Expired Prescription Drugs Saturday

The first ever statewide prescription drug “Take Back” initiative takes place tomorrow (Saturday) aimed at preventing prescription drug abuse and theft.

From 10:am until 2:pm tomorrow local law enforcement will collect potentially dangerous unused and unwanted or expired prescription drugs for destruction.

The local drop off site is the DPS office on Highway 60.