Monroe battles opioid dealing, treats ODs as homicides

(WJBK) - A national emergency declared on opioids like heroin means, according to President Donald Trump, more money and resources poured into the war on this drug.

It’s a battle the city of Monroe has been fighting for years.

"Our vice unit has been very effective since its inception two years ago and they are really putting a dent in the dealers' game of drugs here in Monroe," said Lt. John Wall, Monroe Police Department.

Whenever an officer with the Monroe Police Department encounters someone suffering from a drug overdose, the first goal is to revive that person and they have the tools and training to do so.

However if they die, the goal shifts to finding the dealer who supplied them the drugs.

Police work closely with prosecutors office the vice unit is trained to gather evidence to bring about a conviction for the drug dealers bringing heroin into the community.

"Because of the successful prosecutions that we've had in the cases presented to the prosecutor for charging delivery causing death, that has sent a strong message in the community," Wall said.

Wall says the word is spreading among the dealers who realize the risk of getting caught could mean life in prison.

"They are scared they are going to get charged, they don't deal with the drugs that are killing people," he said.

Police know this isn't a solution to ending the war on drugs but it is definitely a battle they appear to be winning for now.