BRISTOL, Va. -- We've seen a spike in drug arrests in the region recently and that is also true in public housing.

The Bristol Housing Authority hopes a new tip line and a cash reward will bring about chan

In recent weeks, Bristol, Virginia Public Housing has been the scene of several drug arrests, including two meth labs. Despite the zero tolerance policy, executive director Dave Baldwin says they've seen a spike in drug arrests.

"We issue a 72 hour notice of eviction and proceed to evict them immediately," Baldwin explained.

The Housing Authority is asking for help from people who live in public housing. They recently sent a letter home, talking about a new reward program where they're offering cash for tips leading to drug arrests.

A $1,000 reward is being offered to people who provide tips leading to an arrest and conviction. While they're hoping this will help the problem in public housing, they realize it's a community wide problem.

"We're concerned about illegal drug activity but it's a community problem it's not just a problem in our public housing developments," Baldwin said.

Funding cuts have removed a 24-hour officer from public housing but police say they're always working to cut drug usage throughout the city

"Drugs are there along with other places it's just that's where the investigation takes you," Bristol detective Steve Crawford said.

The Housing Authority says they'll also be educating residents about illegal drug use. Police say cutting down on drug use is important because it often leads to other crimes.

"You can trace a lot of crimes detectives work officers respond to," said Detective Crawford. "You can trace a great deal of them back to drugs."

Both police and the housing authority say it will take a community-wide effort to cut down on illegal drug use.