Write down this number:

• 570-732-0089.It's the new drug tip line in Carbon County. It went into effect within the past couple of days and allows people to report suspected drug activity including use, dealings or manufacturing.Anyone in law enforcement or Carbon County's judicial system can tell you that drugs are a big problem locally.Some weeks most of the criminal hearings at magistrate offices are defendants with drug arrests. The monthly court schedule is filled with drug cases.There have been quite a few meth labs raided. Ambulance squads repeatedly get calls for overdoses.People high on drugs often are responsible for other crimes such as burglaries, robberies and assaults.In the past, if you suspected your neighbor had a drug business operating from their home, you likely would tell a police officer or report it to local authorities. It possibly didn't receive the attention you felt it should have. Sometimes individual cops get too busy on other cases to followup on suspected drug activity.Drug complaints made to the new tip line will be investigated, assure county officials. They will be checked out by detectives. There's a countywide drug task force to conduct probes.It will allow the reporting of drug situations with anonymity, although you can leave your name, address, phone number, or any other personal information if you want. All reports on the tip line will be handled in confidence.Carbon County Commissioner Bill O'Gurek said, "Sadly we live in a time where knowing about it isn't enough."He's right. That's why the new drug tip line is so important. It will help to identify problems and point law enforcement in the right direction to combat them.More important than the crime situation involving drugs is that heroin, meth and other such substances are proving deadly. They're killing people.In prisons and hospitals, caring for drug addicts has become very expensive.Use the drug tip line. Even if it is you who has a problem, call the number. You'll be able to get help.Hopefully, the drug tip line will net results.Who knows, it could be your own children you're saving by tipping off illegal activity.But that can only happen if people use it. The number again is 570-732-0089.By RON GOWERrgower@tnonline.com