San Diego

A 39-member anti-drug task force was established Tuesday by the San Diego City Council, but the council balked at approving a consultant for the project without interviewing applicants.

Composed of representatives from law enforcement, education, drug abuse counseling, medicine, business and the community at large, the volunteer committee will recommend courses of action to the city to reduce drug abuse and related problems, such as crime.

The task force, chaired by Bishop George McKinney of St. Stephen’s Church of God in Christ, will hold meetings with law enforcement officials, judges, probation officers and medical experts in drug abuse prevention field.

There also will be hearings to solicit the public’s assessment of drug abuse and related problems.

In a rush to get the committee functioning, City Manager John Lockwood had recommended that the council waive a requirement that stipulates that the city must advertise the job of consultant to the project.

Lockwood had recommended that the position of consultant, which carries a $25,000, six-month salary, go to former Border Crimes Task Force Police Officer Manny Lopez. But Lockwood was urged by Councilman Mike Gotch, “for the sake of appearances,” to advertise the position.

Instead of approving Lopez, the council directed the manager to advertise the position. The results of the job interviews will be announced in three to four weeks.