Kent Co. Sheriff's Office Speaks Out on Increase of Methamphetamine in Community

KENT COUNTY, Mich. — The Kent County Sheriff's Office (KCSO) tells 13 ON YOUR SIDE that every township in the county is currently impacted by methamphetamine.

“Many families within our community suffer from difficulty obtaining methamphetamine,” the sheriff’s office said.

They added that other illicit drugs are still prevalent, but an overwhelming number of drug-related complaints they have received involve some form of methamphetamine.

“So traditionally we've seen a lot of things like cocaine and heroin,” said Kailey Gilbert with the Kent County Sheriff's Office. “But right now we've seen a slight change and we're seeing more meth on the streets.”

Last weekend, police discovered methamphetamine during four separate traffic stops. Gilbert said he has seen the increase accelerate since January. The department believes this is due to the accessibility of methamphetamine.

Gilbert says sometimes that means asking residents for help instead of just arresting them. This way, they can recover and find employment and housing, re-enter society and contribute to the community instead of living behind bars.

“We want to end the victimization of our community,” Gilbert said. “We also want to provide them with help, because not only are they suffering, but so are their families.”

KCSO said it encourages people suffering from substance use disorders to contact the Kent County Health Department or the 180 Network to locate treatment services.

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