The Macon County State's Attorney's office plans to have a prosecutor specifically dedicated to dealing with opioid cases.
The Macon County Board unanimously approved the plan Thursday. State's Attorney Jay Scott says opioid cases used to be rare but now the office is "getting these cases all the time." Assistant State's Attorney Lindsey Shelton who heads the drug unit will take the position.
Macon County Sheriff Howard Buffett, the son of billionaire investor Warren Buffett, is funding the position through his private foundation. He is providing a three-year grant worth $540,000. Buffett has said he thinks the prosecutor could directly address the opioid epidemic.
Scott says Shelton will pursue drug dealers not everyday users. Macon County had 14 opioid overdose deaths in 2016.
