Drug task force sees prevention as part of mission

Specialist Jordan Edgmon, of the Arkansas National Guard, is assigned as an analyst to the 14th Judicial District Drug Task Force based in Harrison.
He attended the Newton County Hometown Health Initiative meeting held Thursday, Oct. 10. The Newton County native and Jasper High School graduate, explained that he is part of the task force as a member of the Drug Demand and Reduction Outreach Team.
Counter drug isn't just interdiction working with law enforcement, Edgmon explained. It also involves the prevention and education side as well.
"I love having both halves," he said.
He was a school teacher for five years. "I have a passion for kids and I see their futures can be so bright especially given the opportunities and right resources.
Currently he is able to speak to students about the enforcement side of what he does. He is anxious to receive certified training in the education and prevention side. He is hoping he will find a pathway to achieve that goal by being part of Hometown Health and its Partners In Prevention Coalition which was recently awarded a federal Drug Free Community Grant.

Edgmon related he participated in a program in his church called "Recovery and Discovery." It put him in contact with an individual who was suffering as a misuser of drugs. Edgmon said the meeting gave him an understanding of the opposite side of enforcement.
He recalled a time as a student being informed on the dangers of marijuana use. Compare marijuana to the illegal and potentially lethal drugs prevalent today such as methamphetamine and fentanyl.
He said prevention and education is necessary to prevent these substances from becoming as socially acceptable as marijuana.
Edgmon said the task force wants to become a part of the Partners in Prevention Coalition as the Drug Free Community program develops and draws in more stakeholders. The new coalition has yet to draw up its bylaws. That process will begin once a coordinator is hired through the grant being administered through the Jasper School District. The district is serving as the nonprofit fiduciary agency the grant requires.
Edgmon explained military support to the state's district drug task forces was authorized by the governor to assist in the state's war against drugs. Edgmon said he has counterparts working all over the state.
He said his job basically is to follow the money used in drug transactions that leads to seizures of large shipments of drugs.