LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- If you live in or visit Scott County, Indiana, the sheriff wants you to know it's a drug-free area.

Newly elected Sheriff Jerry Goodin said, effective Jan. 1, 2019, Scott County is a drug-free zone.

New sheriff proclaims Scott County a 'drug free' zone

"This is a big problem for us," Goodin said. "We have a lot of grandparents that are raising their grandkids.  We are not going to put up with this anymore. It's over."

Goodin says he will take a zero-tolerance policy with dealing, manufacturing or possessing any illegal drugs.

The sheriff warns that, if you are contributing to the drug problem in the county, you should move or you will be arrested.

"We're going to be investigating all of our drug over doses," he said. "If that person survives to drug over dose we will be charging them with possession, obviously and also attempted murder on that person if we can find out who the dealer is."

Goodin says he is reorganizing resources to focus specifically on attacking drug users and dealers. He will work with prosecutors to push for harsher penalties for drug offenders. 

"We're going to be working with the prosecutors office, and we will be working with the judges to make sure we can get some maximum penalties."

The department of corrections is also starting a new drug rehabilitation program inside the jail, although it's unclear when it will begin. 

"They're going to be actually learning life skills," Goodin said. "They're going to learn how to beat this addiction they have and we're going to provide job skills to them. When they get out of jail, they will have an opportunity to break this revolving door cycle."

Years of prescription drug abuse by residents has led to growing HIV cases.

Health officials have linked the majority of cases to people sharing needles while using the painkiller Opana.

Goodin, a longtime Indiana State Police sergeant, was elected in November. 

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