HENRY COUNTY | RICKEY STOKES NEWS
Henry County Sheriff Eric Blankenship is working to bring federal drug enforcement resources to the county as part of an expanded effort to combat illegal drugs and related crimes.
Blankenship is in the process of securing a Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) task force officer for Henry County. If approved, the partnership would allow local deputies to work federal drug cases and gain access to additional federal resources.
The DEA officer would join the sheriff’s SPADE unit, the county’s proactive drug enforcement team launched in 2024.
According to Blankenship, drug trends are shifting nationwide. While fentanyl cases are declining, methamphetamine cases are increasing. He also cited illegal vape products as a growing concern, noting that many people are inhaling substances with unknown contents.
Blankenship said reducing the flow of drugs into the county would also help cut down on related crimes, including theft and violent offenses.
The sheriff believes combining local enforcement efforts with federal partnerships will make Henry County’s fight against drugs more effective, calling the work an ongoing battle to keep dangerous substances off local streets.
