Meth labs and marijuana farms.

That's what both Wahkiakum County Sheriff candidates Dan Bardsley, a Democrat, and Mike Mouliot, a Republican, say are the worst problems facing this rural county.

Where they differ is on how to crack down on the drug traffic.

Bardsley, who has served as undersheriff under Sheriff Gene Strong for 20 years, says getting citizens involved with their eyes and suggestions will help control the drug abuse.

"Citizens are part of the solution," says the 54-year-old candidate. "They have a vested interest in what happens.

He says the sheriff's department has already addressed the issue by forming a committee that includes local school principals, citizen members and members of the justice council to make recommendations on how to solve the drug problems. The committee's recommendation is expected to go before the county commissioners on Nov. 5.

Mouliot, an outsider who officially moved to the county three years ago from Reno, Nev., thinks added patrols are the answer.

"The biggest issue in the county is drug and alcohol enforcement, and enforcement is patrol," says Mouliot. He would also send a deputy to federal DEA narcotics training. The cost to do that would be room and board, Mouliot says. Grants are available for the school, he added.

He also wants to combine the positions of undersheriff and detective with patrol responsibilities.

Adopting a junior deputy program for youths would also free up reserve officers to help with patrol duty, Mouliot says. The youths could handle traffic direction at events, work parades and other activities that reserve officers do now. He says they would be trained to watch, to be an extra set of eyes for the department.

Also, Mouliot says he would enhance reserve officer training and require them to take at least two shifts a month.

Bardsley agrees that patrol is important, but says deputies have other duties as well. They have to investigate complaints, write reports, go to court and serve papers. All deputies, including himself and the detective, patrol the county, he says. Patrol is not 24 hours-a-day, but a deputy is always on call.

Bardsley says his experience in the sheriff's office make him the better candidate. He has supervised the jail, 911 department and the deputies. He has negotiated for the union and has investigated crimes.

"If I thought there was someone more qualified for the job, I'd let them," he says. "I don't think there is. There is nothing in the department I wouldn't be able to handle."

Bardsley says his "one uphill battle" is his association with the current sheriff, who is unpopular with residents "for whatever reason." Incumbent Sheriff Gene Strong is retiring from the $54,000-a-year job and supports Bardsley.

"I've worked successfully with him over the years," the undersheriff says. "But I have my own ideas and they are not the same as what the sheriff had."

"I am going to keep you informed. Ask you for support. Ask you how I am doing. Ask you for advice." he says.

Mouliot says his biggest hurdles are living in the west side of the county and being from out-of-state. "That makes me a double-outsider," he says.