By: Alvin Wilson Staff Writer
A large drug bust that occurred in the Salem/Stayton area earlier this month resulted in the seizure of 26 pounds of drugs, 15 guns, several vehicles, and over $450,000, according to the Statesman Journal.
On May 10, officers with the Salem Police Department arrested seven people in the Salem area. The next day, officers with the Stayton Police Department arrested three. Lt. Steve Birr, of Salem PD, said the arrests in Salem triggered those in Stayton.
With Monmouth’s proximity to Salem, one might expect the recent bust to reduce the drug supply or trigger arrests in the area. But according to Detective Mike Strack, a member of the Polk County Interagency Narcotics Team, the bust in Salem is unlikely to affect drug trafficking in the Monmouth area.
“The drug bust in Salem/Stayton doesn’t have much affect on our area, as drugs come in from various places,” said Strack.
Despite this, Strack said the drug businesses in Independence and Monmouth are sometimes synonymous with Salem.
“Many of the people who reside in Salem and are into drugs come into Polk County to do business, as it’s more rural,” he said. “… Drug users commit crimes of opportunity and look for easy targets.”
He said the frequency of students leaving their cars and bikes unlocked makes Monmouth a popular destination for people looking for something to sell for drug money.
Drug abuse is often more apparent in small towns, and Monmouth and Independence are no exceptions.
“Drug abuse in Monmouth/Independence is common compared to any other city,” said Strack. “Sometimes it may seem like drug abuse is worse in a small town because you can see it more in a smaller population.”
Western isn’t a school that is known for rampant drug use. Strack attributes this tame appearance to both the legalization of marijuana in Oregon and the fact that many student offenders aren’t tracked by the university.
“… drugs are handled differently on campus as opposed to off campus, Strack said. “When students are arrested or cited for drugs in the community, they are dealt with through the city and county courts and [Western] does not track this information.”
The most recent drug bust involving Western was four years ago, when seven people, including three students, were arrested for trafficking drugs on campus.
The bust in Salem might scare some traffickers into temporarily halting business. But, according to Strack, users will always find a way to get their fix—even if their supply is restricted.
“Addicts will always find where the drugs are at,” Strack said. “If you cut off a supply in one area, they branch out or a new dealer steps in to fill the void.”
Contact the author at awilson15@wou.edu or on Twitter @awilsonjournal.
