Law enforcement officers in Richmond County will be honored tonight at 7 p.m. at Cole Auditorium by Richmond County Alcohol and Drug Services and Citizens for Responsible Living.

The departments that will be recognized are the Hamlet Police Department, Rockingham Police Department, Richmond County Sheriff’s Office and the County Office of Communications and Corrections.

Major James Clemmons of the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office gives the credit to all of the officers that are out in the field. “They are out making the arrests. We want to make sure that we are doing the job that we are supposed to for the people,” he said.

Shirlyn Smith is the Strategic Prevention Framework State Incentive Grant project coordinator for the group.

“This is to show officers our appreciation for putting their lives on the line for our school and streets and this is the second one,” Smith said.

So far, the group has placed four billboards throughout Richmond County to inform citizens on what to do and where they can find help.

“We received a $300,000 grant to help inform citizens on alcohol and drug abuse,” Smith said.

“People come to us with nuisance and abatement issues with homes,” said Melinda McDonald of Anson County ADS. “This is when the citizens inform us of an abandoned home that may be used a place to do drugs or sell liquor to under age individuals.”

Topics include anger/behavior management, conflict resolution and self-esteem building. Serenity Kids (K-6) and Serenity Teens (7-12) are both small psycho-educational groups for youth living with an alcoholic/addict. Project Towards No Drug Abuse (TND) Program designed to help high school youths (14 to 19-years-olds) resist substance use through motivational activities, social skills training and decision-making components.

“The law enforcement has done a lot for this group and we appreciate it,” Smith said.

Hollie Nivens can be reached at (910) 997-3111 ext. 19 or by e-mailing at hnivens@yourdailyjournal.com