Pubdate: Tue, 23 Jul 2002
Source: Tampa Tribune (FL)
Copyright: 2002, The Tribune Co.
Contact:  http://www.tampatrib.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/446
Author: Deborah Alberto, of the Tribune

POLK'S METH BATTLE ATTRACTS DEA BOSS

TAMPA - Federal, state and local law enforcement officials converged in 
Tampa on Monday to talk about curbing abuse of methamphetamines.

Federal Drug Enforcement Agency Director Asa Hutchinson visited Tampa as 
part of a 33-state tour to raise awareness and look for solutions to 
problems associated with the dangerously addictive drug.

Rural Polk County has been recognized by the agency as a hotbed for 
methamphetamine manufacturing and abuse.

``Because meth is produced here, it poses an extraordinary danger to 
children. Some states are adopting legislation to address the problems of 
labs found with children present,'' Hutchinson said.

In about 50 percent of cases, law enforcement officials find children 
present where meth is manufactured, he said.

The effect of methamphetamines on families and the human condition is 
scary, officials said.

``There is no other drug I know of that has such a truly explosive impact 
on a community,'' said James McDonough, director of the Florida Office of 
Drug Control.

Along with health and social ills, officials cited environmental problems 
that result from dumping toxic waste from manufacturing the drug.

Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Tim Moore called for 
stricter laws in dealing with meth users and distributors.

Polk County Health Director Daniel Haight said this year's hepatitis A 
outbreak in the county is largely attributed to the meth problem.

``In 70 percent of our cases, there is some tie to drug use,'' he said. 
``It is not only a law enforcement problem, it is a social and a health 
issue.''

Meth abusers often have poor hygiene, which can lead to the spread of 
hepatitis A.

Polk Sheriff Lawrence Crow said he has seen the evolution of a drug first 
noticed in his county in 1980. ``The reality of the violence only began to 
sink in during the past six or seven years,'' he said.

Crow cited cases in which a Winter Haven police officer and two of Crow's 
deputies have been shot by alleged meth users. The sheriff's office has 
broken up 11 meth labs in Polk since January. ``That's one meth lab every 
two weeks,'' he said.

Crow said ``little Alfredo Montes did not have a chance'' because he was 
being raised in a community, Eloise, where meth use is prevalent.

Richard Chouquer, who was babysitting Alfredo, 2, is charged with killing 
the boy.

Montes' father, also named Alfredo, is in federal prison for meth 
trafficking, and state child welfare authorities allege his mother, Jeanna 
Swallows, traveled in circles where meth is abused.

``If a child has a family out of control on meth, I don't think we should 
rehabilitate the family. I think we should save the child,'' Crow said.

Public education is key, authorities said.

Crow said people working in stores where meth-making materials are sold 
should call authorities when they see people buying large amounts of 
pseudoephedrine, hydrous ammonia or other chemicals used to make the drug.

Measures taken in other states include limits on the sale of 
pseudoephedrine, a cold medicine used to make meth.

Utah placed a 3-gram limit on pseudoephedrine purchases. The DEA is pushing 
Canada to regulate the shipping of pseudoephedrine to the United States, 
Hutchinson said.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Larry Stevens