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METH LABS ON THE RISE

This week's arrest in Winchester of four people, with another two pending, on charges of manufacturing methamphetamine is pointing a glaring light on a problem that is quickly becoming an epidemic in our area.

More and more people are getting into making and selling the drug because of several reasons: it's cheap, easy to make and the profit margin is a lot more attractive than other illicit businesses.

Meanwhile, as the production of meth continues to spread in our area, the harvest of the state's number one cash crop, marijuana, has...well...  gone to pot.

According to recent figures, authorities confiscated more than 80,000 marijuana plants in Franklin County in 1997 but last year's harvest dropped to a little more than 18,000 plants.

Neighboring Grundy County, known as the capital of marijuana production in the mid 1990's, only had 13,000 illegal plants seized in 2001, a decrease from more than 18,000 plants seized in 1997.  On the surface, this looks like a good thing, but law enforcement is reporting that many in the drug business are getting out of the weed market and getting involved in making meth.

Instead of waiting around for months for the crop to grow, dealers can simply set up a lab in a back room or in a vehicle and whip up as much of the foul substance as they need.

While the only hazards experienced by pot growers and users seem to be a bad case of the munchies and an arrest record, there are many dangers associated with cooking methamphetamine.

Long term exposure to the chemicals cause a variety of health problems and the labs can suddenly explode if things go wrong.  Officials who dismantle the labs must wear suits for protection from the chemicals whenever a raid occurs.

Law enforcement officials are also charging those who have kids around the labs with aggravated child abuse, due to the exposure to the hazardous chemicals.

And let's not forget to mention the wonderful effects the drug itself has on those that are stupid enough to use it.

Judging from the number of arrests and the many discoveries of labs made over the past few months, it is apparent that the methamphetamine problem is only going to get worse before it gets better.