In the world of Talbot County politics, the race for Sheriff has traditionally been a rather subdued event. The current incumbent Dallas Pope has more often than not run unopposed since he won his first election in 2002.
But in 2014, that has changed with a competitive primary race between Pope and Maryland State Police Lieutenant Joe Gamble set for June 24. And the reason for this is drugs.
Like many counties on the Eastern Shore, Talbot is facing an unprecedented drug epidemic, with a major increase of deadly forms of pure heroin impacting all walks of life on the Mid-Shore.
Cheap, highly addictive, and easy to transport, the heroin explosion is providing a unique challenge to law enforcement professionals with limited resources. In their interviews with the Talbot Spy, Sheriff Pope and Lieutenant Gamble offers their different platforms on how to reduce the spread of hard drugs and their perspective on the growing trend for government to decriminalize or even legalize marijuana.
The videos are approximately eight to twelve minutes in length
Talbot County Sheriff Dallas Pope
Maryland State Police Lieutenant Joe Gamble
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