No one seriously disputes the fact that our community is in the midst of an unprecedented public health and safety emergency due to drug abuse and addiction. In fact, Knox County Sheriff Jimmy "JJ" Jones frequently makes media appearances to express his deep concern regarding this issue, and to trumpet his leadership in stemming the flow of drugs into and throughout our neighborhoods.

However, according to some rather startling data compiled and published this afternoon by local blogger Rich Hailey, Sheriff Jones' record with regard to fighting drug crime in Knox County isn't one that most folks would want to brag about.

This information revealing KCSO's measurable record in this area is particularly concerning to me given the fact that it exists within the context of a criminal justice system that until very recently was led in large part by Judge Richard Baumgartner, a man now revealed to have been engaged in drug crimes and cover-up himself.

I really hope that Rich's research is what it finally takes to launch the top to bottom DOJ investigation of the entirety of our county's criminal justice system.