MADRAS, OR -- Jefferson County got the go-ahead last week to hire a new deputy dedicated to drug enforcement, and serve as detective on the Central Oregon Drug Enforcement team.

Sheriff Jason Pollock tells KBND News the combination of decriminalizing hard drugs, and Jefferson County leaving CODE in 2013 has had a negative effect, “I think the community sees that, people in law enforcement see that. My hope is that we can turn it around or at least make it much, much harder for people to buy and sell drugs in Jefferson County.” Rejoining CODE after 10 years away is a goal Sheriff Pollock set when he was elected last year. “It's a big network of, a lot of moving parts. And so, without the right resources, it makes it hard for just one agency or one person to be able to deal with them. So that's, that's why it's important for us to be on the team,” he said, adding he feels good about the prospect of hiring a drug enforcement deputy, “It's not going to be easy work, but in the end, I'm hoping it has a big impact and a big result for Jefferson County and makes a statement on those that want to come into our community and deal narcotics. Pushing them out of here is going to be the most exciting part. This is just the beginning steps of getting where we would like to see the Jefferson County community.”

Sheriff Pollock would like to get a deputy on duty within the next few months.