Pubdate: Wed, 17 Aug 2005
Source: Free Press, The (Kinston, NC)
Copyright: 2005 Kinston Free Press
Contact:  http://www.kinston.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1732
Author: Michael Abernethy
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

CRYSTAL METH A GROWING CONCERN

PINK HILL - An Aug. 6 narcotics raid in which nine people in Pink Hill were 
arrested is highlighting a growing problem in the town.

Two of the nine arrested were charged with felony possession of 
methamphetamines, the drug commonly called crystal meth.

Crystal meth is the most widespread narcotic in Pink Hill and Lenoir County 
right now, surpassing even the availability of crack cocaine and marijuana, 
Police Chief Kenny Barrow said.

"There is a drug problem everywhere," Barrow said. "Right now, our biggest 
problem is crystal meth. It's eating up every county and every state right 
now."

The drug has gained attention in the last year because of its increased 
availability statewide. Crystal meth is relatively easy to make using 
over-the-counter drugs in homemade labs.

Statewide, the number of meth lab busts is growing.

Barrow said officers have no information to suggest that there are labs in 
Pink Hill or Lenoir County, but nearby counties have discovered labs and 
arrested those involved.

"Thank God, there haven't been labs in Pink Hill," Barrow said. "Our 
intelligence shows that it's coming from sources out of the county into the 
county."

Lenoir County Sheriff Billy Smith said labs have been discovered and shut 
down in Duplin, Johnston and Pitt counties in recent months.

Officials are most concerned about the health risks of those unknowingly 
exposed to fumes released while the drug is being made. Children who live 
in homes where crystal meth is produced are most threatened by the gasses 
released from cooking pseudo-amphetamines.

There is also growing concern that law enforcement officials could be 
harmed while attempting to apprehend those making the drug or putting out 
fires that originate in labs.

"We just finished seminars last week where the State Bureau of 
Investigation talked to law enforcement about the physical dangers of 
crystal meth," Smith said.

Barrow said the problems associated with crystal meth - and other narcotics 
- - increase daily. Smith said the county doesn't have the manpower or the 
funding to control the county's growing drug problem.

Until things change, he said, law enforcement has to depend on apprehending 
dealers one at a time and hope to find enough information in smaller raids 
to arrest others.

Three women and one man remain in Lenoir County Jail on felony drug charges 
after a court appearance last Monday.

There is still a warrant for the arrest of one man connected with the drug 
busts. Police declined to identify the suspect, but believe he's hiding 
somewhere in the county.

"He can run and hide, but he can't run and hide forever," Barrow said.
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