HIGHLAND COUNTY, OH — The Highland County Task Force (HCTF), an agency dedicated to solving crimes and eradicating drugs in the community, is facing sharp criticism after a recent social media post sparked concern among recovery advocates and residents.

On Friday, November 22, HCTF wrote on Facebook: “I’m from Ohio, where people don’t know how to drive on ice, but know how to smoke it,” accompanied by a laughing emoji. The post, intended as a joke, quickly drew backlash from recovery advocates and members of the public, many of whom found it insensitive to the struggles of individuals battling addiction.

One advocate described the post as lacking professionalism, especially from an agency tasked with dealing with substance abuse issues. “The little laughing emoji shows that our law enforcement does not take the addiction and hardships of those struggling seriously,” they said.

The criticism underscores concerns about how law enforcement agencies communicate on social media. Advocates argue that addiction is a sensitive issue, and humor, especially at the expense of those affected, undermines efforts to foster trust and cooperation between the community and law enforcement.

The HCTF operates under the Highland County Prosecutor’s Office and is led by two investigators with over 60 years of combined law enforcement experience. Every law enforcement agency in the county is a member of the task force and works together to make the community safer by solving crimes and addressing drug-related issues.

The task force has been an important resource in addressing drug-related crime in Highland County. However, the controversy surrounding the post has cast a shadow over its efforts.

Since it was posted, the comment has garnered a lot of attention on social media, with reactions ranging from humor to outrage. Some defended the light-hearted tone of the task force, while others expressed concern that the post reflected a dismissive attitude towards addiction.

The post’s critics claim it detracts from the task force’s mission. “Addiction is a disease,” emphasized one advocate. “Making jokes about it not only hurts recovery efforts but also alienates the people who might need the task force’s help.”

So far, HCTF has not issued a formal apology or comment regarding the post, nor has it been removed. The controversy raises larger questions about the balance between engaging the community through social media and maintaining professionalism, especially for agencies dealing with sensitive public issues.

This is not the first controversial post by the task force. A scroll down their Facebook page reveals several memes related to addiction.