Drugs major problem, candidates in Stokes County sheriff's race say

By Sherry Youngquist
Winston-Salem Journal

DANBURY

Republican candidates for Stokes County sheriff say that one of the biggest issues facing law enforcement in rural areas is a drug problem that continues to migrate from urban areas into smaller populations.

Carole T. Elliott and Greg Pratt - the two candidates challenging incumbent Sheriff Mike Joyce in the Republican primary - say that now, more than ever, the sheriff needs to be accessible to residents and their concerns. And more training and education should be offered to deputies to better prepare them for the crime coming into the county, they said.

This is the first time in eight years that Joyce has had opposition in the primary election, something he said he is going to campaign hard against to keep a sheriff's office he sees as doing the best it can.

"You never know in politics," Joyce said. "You just face them and go on with what you're doing."