The Northeast Missouri Drug Task Force is busting more people with drugs. From 2011 to 2012, the amount of drug busts increased by 10%. So are there more drugs out there or are officers getting more tips?
"We've seen a drastic increase in heroin and bath salts use in the past year," Shinn said.
Shinn said the amount of heroin in Marion County can now be considered an epidemic, and it's happened quickly.
"We haven't seen heroin here in years. I really can't recall the last time we've seen heroin and now we're seeing it on a daily basis," he said.
The Northeast Missouri Drug Task force made its last drug bust of 2012 in Ralls County, but the increase isn't just in that area. Hannibal resident Brittany Albers said the amount of drugs coming into the area is disturbing.
"It does worry me because I plan to stay in the area and for my kids to be going to the high schools around the area, you know that is something I would be concerned about and I don't want to have to worry about sending them somewhere where they can be in danger," Albers said.
But other residents like Denise Crisp said drugs are not a new problem in her community.
"I think this has been a problem for many many years. From the mid to late 80s and I think it has progressively gotten worse over time," Crisp said.
Sheriff Shinn warns it's not only is getting worse, but also more dangerous.
"I think it's more drastic and I think we're seeing it be more drastic too because of the multiple related deaths that we've had," he said.
Shinn also said this needs to be an effort on everybody's part to lower drugs in the community... so if you suspect drugs in your area, report it right away to your local authorities.
