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The latest partner in fighting drug abuse is the computer--more specifically, the computer located in law enforcement officer's offices.

Linking officers and detectives with e-mail started two years ago and is working well.

In the link, officers from Juab County, Wasatch County, Utah County and state and federal agencies are now included in a connecting force that works together to stop illegal substance abuse.

In a recent raid in Springville, police and a major-crimes task force made three drug-related arrests and issued two citations.

Officers from that city worked in tandem with Utah County Adult Probation and Parole to sweep the city's streets for illicit drugs and with the other agencies from the participating areas.

Arrests included one on a fugitive warrant, police said.

As a result of the information gathering process, more than 20 drug related arrests were made in the weeks leading up to the sweep. The sweep was part of a continuing effort to put pressure on drug users and dealers in the area, said Springville Police Lt. Dave Caron.

"We have a drug problem--find me a city that doesn't," Caron said.

Meth seems to be the drug of choice and communities the size of Nephi to communities the size of Provo are not immune.

There are those who make and those who sell the illicit substances all over central Utah, just as there are in the big cities. Public perception of the wide-spread problem is low and many think there is not much of a problem in "their" community.

"Yes, we do have residents in our community who abuse controlled substances," said Annette Lovell, Legal Assistant working in the Juab County Attorney's Office.

"We all have to acknowledge that there is a problem," she said.

Fourth District Court Judge Donald Eyre Jr. Is working to obtain a drug court in Nephi. Such a court will benefit the community, said Lovell.

While prevention is the best cure, driving the drug makers and dealers from the community also has a benefit. Therefore, the inter-agency drug sweeps will continue.

Agencies from Central Utah will continue working together in an attempt to fight the illicit use of controlled substances.

The Utah County sweep was made up of eight teams with four officers each including a parole or probation officer, who took the lead.

Teams visited the homes of people on parole or probation and tested them for drug use. If drugs or drug paraphernalia were found arrests were made.

Law enforcement officers have been compiling information on known drug users for months, including where they live, what kind of a car they drive, their drug of preference and if they are known to carry a weapon. That information is given to patrol officers to help them combat drug use.

The e-mail program, where officers and agencies share information, has resulted in better communication and has helped police and agencies update each other on the cases on which they are working.

The e-mail program has helped solve burglaries and other crimes. Police say they consider it invaluable.

"Even more valuable, is the resident who pays attention to what is going on in the neighborhood and who alerts police," said Chad Bowles, Nephi City Police Chief.