Drug Counselor Busted for Drugs

(Vallejo, California) A 60-year-old drug abuse counselor at the San Mateo County Women's Jail, Viola Smith (aka Viola Collier), was arraigned last Thursday on multiple drug and weapons charges.

Investigators, who conducted a two-month investigation, raided Smith's home in an unincorporated area near Vallejo and found 7 ounces of black tar heroin worth $7,000, 1.5 grams of rock cocaine worth $70 and liquid methadone worth an undisclosed amount.

Police from a multi-jurisdictional narcotics enforcement team also turned up two .45 caliber magazines containing 19 rounds of ammunition and $2,097 in cash at the house on the 500 block of Gilcrest Avenue, according to the Solano County Sheriff's Office.

Smith worked as a counselor for Choices, a drug rehabilitation program run by the San Mateo County Health Department for inmates at the women's jail, confirmed Lt. Ray Lunny of the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office, which operates the jail.

Arrested and booked with Smith into custody at the Solano County Jail was Carlis Paysinger, 36, a reported visitor at the Smith residence. Bail for each was set at $200,000.