County officials yesterday reported that an operation carried out in East county over the course of six months, which focused on people with drug issues, was beneficial and they are looking to implement the program in other areas.  

The pilot program, called “Operation Tip the Scale,” involved personnel from different county departments and agencies. The program sought to get in touch with people using drugs, even drugs such as methamphetamine, and work with them to help them and inform them about ways to deal with their drug problems. 

The county Sheriff’s Department and every law enforcement agency in East County partook in the program, along with representatives from probation, parole, trolley enforcement, animal control, child welfare and drug treatment programs.

Officials reported that the program showed that the law was cracking down in the areas of  El Cajon, Santee, La Mesa and Lemon Grove starting in March. The program mainly focused on people on probation and parole. 

Family members were provided with information about drugs and where they can get help, such as hotline numbers, and people who were currently using drugs were provided with the opportunity to chat with a treatment professional about getting help.

The program resulted in 209 arrests and 59 treatment conversations. Officials also report that after the program they saw the numbers of violent crime and property crime in East County fall while the program was in action.