Pubdate: Mon, 14 Jul 2003 Source: Clarion-Ledger, The (MS) Copyright: 2003 The Clarion-Ledger Contact: http://www.clarionledger.com/about/letters.html Website: http://www.clarionledger.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/805 Author: Associated Press SHOPS TO EYE METH INGREDIENTS Coast counties' district attorney enlists merchants in drug fight PASCAGOULA - Officials in south Mississippi want local merchants to tip off law enforcement officers when shoppers buy household products that could be used to make methamphetamines. The District Attorney's office in Jackson County said a Meth Watch Program like those in George and Greene counties should encourage the public to help fight drugs. "The public's got to get involved," Assistant District Attorney Dustin Thomas said. "They have to know about the methamphetamine problem so they can help." The program would use local merchants to identify people buying household products that are used to make methamphetamines. Participating stores would post signs advertising the Meth Watch. Employees would be trained to observe and report suspicious activity involving large quantities of cold medicines, nail polish remover, brake cleaner, batteries and other products. They would also observe buying habits and the appearance of the people making the purchases. If a store spotted someone buying unusually large quantities, the merchant would call the police and an investigation would begin. Thomas said the program would deter meth users from buying the products. District Attorney Keith Miller started the program in George County. He said the program would not cost Jackson County any additional money, just some signs and paperwork. Thomas said he would start distributing signs advertising Meth Watch to stores in the program this week. He said convicted users have told him that the signs advertising the program in other counties made them afraid to shop at those stores. Kansas, Wyoming, Illinois and Montana have developed similar programs and Miller said district attorneys from other states are considering their own. - --- MAP posted-by: Josh