Bedford community awareness meeting focuses on taking drugs off the streets

BEDFORD (WSLS 10) - Bedford police say methamphetamine and prescription drugs are a big issue in the town.

That's why officers plan to lead a discussion during their monthly community awareness meeting on how to make the community safer. They hope to spread awareness of the devastating effects drugs can have on families.

Each year, drug overdoses kill more people in the U.S. than traffic accidents. That's why Bedford police want to have a conversation with the community about the drugs they are seeing around town.

"Meth is probably our fastest growing drug. We also have heroin here. So those are the things they need to be aware of. Of course prescription medications with kids and young adults in the homes," explained Bedford Police Chief Todd Foreman.

He also said drugs can lead to crimes, but they want to provide help and solutions for those who are impacted through education and improving the quality of life.

He's hoping those in who attend on Thursday night will find out how to make the town safer.

"We've made some arrests and found some through search warrants of Meth in homes. We've also seen some heroin arrests. So we are seeing it and we want to make people aware of it," said Foreman.

Foreman doesn't have a reason for the increase in drugs, but trying to get ahead of the problem is a step in the right direction.

While no one in town has come forward with concerns about drugs in Bedford, police said they're more likely to see drug activity before someone else.

The community awareness meeting is Thursday at 6:30 p.m. inside the council chambers at the Bedford Police station.