THE use and supply of drugs in Leeton shire is problematic, according to Griffith Local Area Command crime manager Detective Inspector Paul Smith.
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However, Detective Inspector Smith believes the drug culture in the town is no worse in comparison to other regional areas.
He said the most prominent drugs often found in Leeton shire were ice, or crystal methamphetamine, and cannabis.
"We have also seen a rise in the number of incidents relating to overdoses of pharmaceutical medicines," Detective Inspector Smith said.
"There's a big rate of the misuse of drugs like oxycontin, but again that is not specific to Leeton because it's happening everywhere.
"The use and supply of drugs has been a problem for a long time."
During arrests and the execution of search warrants in Leeton shire, cannabis is the drug most often found.
Detective Inspector Smith said police were always working to shut down as many suppliers of drugs as possible.
"Our focus is on the drug supplier," he said.
"What I don't understand is people that won't take drinks or something similar off someone they don't know, but they are willing to take a pill or whatever from someone they may never have met before.
"It's a health issue, community issue and society issue.
"Police would certainly appreciate any information from the community about drugs in Leeton.
"We rely on the community for this information."
Leeton Shire Council is investigating the possibility of establishing a Community Drug and Action Team (CDAT) after the organisation was dissolved in 2007.
CDATs are groups of people that work together to reduce alcohol and drug harm in the community, with 75 of the organisations already set up across the state.
It is a possibility the Leeton CDAT would operate as a sub-committee to the one established in Griffith to assist with funding opportunities.
2013 drug statistics for Leeton shire (January to December)
-Twenty-one incidents of residents being in possession of or using cannabis
-Four residents caught cultivating cannabis