YANKTON, S.D. (WNAX) – South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem has said the state will back a major meth awareness campaign as the drug remains the state’s top controlled substance issue. She also said the state has hired more state troopers focused on slowing the drug trade.

Yankton County Sheriff Jim Vlahakis says they have cooperated with the state on drug trafficking for a long time.

Vlahakis says meth continues to be a big problem.

Vlahakis says they see the results of people dealing with meth returning time and again to the jail.

Almost half of male prisoners and about 60 percent of female prisoners in the state penitentiary are there due to drug crimes.