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January 5, 2008 - Decatur Daily (AL)

Wanted: On-Campus Drug Dealers

East Lawrence High Principal Excited About New Program

By Nancy Glasscock, Staff Writer

Return to Drug War News: Don't Miss Archive

TRINITY - After serving two tours of duty in Iraq, East Lawrence High Principal and Army Reserve Lt. Col. Ricky Nichols said he knows what it takes to combat terrorists.

Nichols, who has served in the military 24 years, said he hopes the same skills will help him keep drugs out of the classroom.

Nichols spearheaded a program called Operation Bounty Hunter in December, after county authorities arrested several students on drug charges.

The program includes $100 cash rewards for students who submit tips leading to drug arrests. School officials will keep the identities of students who submit tips confidential, Nichols said.

Friday, Nichols said local residents had donated $1,100 to fund the program.

"We're excited about the possibility of what could happen," he said. "We don't really know what to expect at this point."

For too long, school officials have been "on the defensive" when dealing with drugs and weapons, he said.

"No one has ever won a war on the defensive," he said.

Nichols said he wanted to try something different to attack what he said is the "center of gravity" for drug dealers. Dealers rely most on the trust of people buying drugs and the complacency of others, Nichols said.

Posters are hanging in East Lawrence High hallways and in local businesses featuring a masked face with red eyes and a message telling anyone "selling death" they have no place to hide.

Nichols said T-shirts featuring the message will soon be available to students and school staff. Even if student participation starts slowly, Nichols said, he is confident the program will be a success.

"It may start slowly, with students testing the water," he said. "It will take a little while to get over the stigma of being a snitch. But it's not being a snitch. What they're doing is very valuable. They're performing a means by which to do away with something that is illegal and harmful to their friends."

Nichols said he would explain details of the program to students when they return to school Monday.

He said the Lawrence County School Board and other members of the community support the program.

"I'm excited about it," Superintendent Dexter Rutherford said.

"We're always looking for ways to gain an advantage over the few folks that are selling drugs."

Nichols said East Lawrence High will continue to accept donations for the program.

To contribute, send donations to Operation Bounty Hunter, East Lawrence High, 55 Lawrence County 370, Trinity, AL 35673.

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