SAN DIEGO (KGTV) – Law enforcement, probation and drug treatment officials cracked down on meth and other drug users Tuesday night.
It was the 22 Operation Tip the Scale, which focused on intervention and getting treatment for those hooked on drugs.
Probation officers made surprise visits to people under their care to see how they are doing. Those that were caught with drugs were taken into custody and given a choice between jail or treatment.
Treatment tends to last about nine months according to Jason Druxman with the San Diego County Probation Department.
“You can't arrest your way out of this problem,” Druxman said, explaining why treatment is being offered.
The operation comes as meth-related deaths set a record in 2015, with 311. Officials say 2016 is looking to top those numbers and 2017 is also off to a bad start.
There were 40 people contacted, five were arrested and only one of them chose treatment over jail. The operation focused on the areas of San Marcos, Escondido and Carlsbad.
If you or someone you know is fighting a drug addiction, call the hotline at 1-877-NO-2-METH
