The streets in eastern Schuylkill County are a bit safer after Monday's roundup of more than two dozen suspected drug dealers or users.

Agents from the Schuylkill County Drug Task Force, Schuylkill County Sheriff's Office, state police, and local police departments joined forces to converge on drug hot spots in the Tamaqua area, executing warrants for 29 suspected drug offenders.It was the largest drug sting operation in eastern Schuylkill County since Monday, June 16, 2014, when a similar sting took 17 accused dealers or users off the streets.Drug stings are always good news. They demonstrate an effective, targeted and systematic approach to addressing one of our region's worst social problems.Schuylkill County District Attorney Christine A. Holman says preparation is crucial; the detail necessary to pull off such a major operation is what makes a roundup a success.In some cases, it can take months of gathering information and deploying use of confidential informants, hand-to-hand buys, and strategic use of video and surveillance techniques.The sting involves deployment of multiple police and county vehicles, marked and unmarked, and passenger vans required to transport groups of suspects to arraignments and county jail.But the results are worth the effort, ridding our streets of a significant amount of heroin, methamphetamine, hydrocodone and other illegal drugs, along with prosecuting the men and women who ply the trade.These substantial legal undertakings aren't without emotional entanglements. In some cases, children are innocent victims, requiring emergency intervention by county Children and Youth Services when offending adults are removed from a household."It's heartbreaking for the kids," Holman said after recent drug raids."It's frustrating," said Tamaqua Police Chief Rick Weaver, expressing exasperation on what appears to be a bottomless problem.Still, we offer a thumbs-up to law enforcement in Schuylkill County for Monday's impressive show of force and a coordinated strategy to make our town safer.We also realize there's always more to be done, starting with local residents.The public is reminded to use the Schuylkill County drug hotline, 800-414-1406 or 570-622-4228, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to call and leave a message about suspected drug activity.The hotline provides Schuylkill residents an anonymous method of contacting authorities about matters of possible drug dealing or illegal activity.Callers are asked to leave as much information as possible, including names (if known), addresses, times and vehicle makes, models and license plate numbers.All information provided is either given to the drug task force or forwarded to local police departments.While it's true that anonymous tips aren't admissible in court, the information is still highly valued by police and can be used to build a case.Drugs have become a crisis in our communities, and the illegal drug problem affects all of us.It spawns an increase in crime, adversely impacts our quality of life, and in some cases, results in overdose and death.But appropriate response by observant residents using tip hotlines, followed by savvy investigative techniques of law enforcement professionals can be a powerful antidote.On Monday, law enforcement cleaned up our streets.Of course, we realize the problem hasn't ended.But we salute police for outstanding work and strong resolve. They made us proud.By Donald R. Serfass |

dserfass@tnonline.com