Pubdate: Sat, 13 Aug 2005
Source: Times Leader (OH)
Copyright: 2005 The Times Leader
Contact:  http://www.timesleaderonline.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3542
Author: Natalie Hawthorne

METHAMPHETAMINE ABUSE INCREASING

(EDITOR'S NOTE: Methamphetamine use is becoming an increasingly difficult
problem not only across the United States, but also in the Ohio Valley. The
Times Leader is examining the problem in a two-part series. Part two of this
feature will appear in Monday's edition.) METHAMPHETAMINE ABUSE not just a
midwestern problem anymore. As the drug finds its way across the nation, it
is becoming an increasingly larger problem for many areas.

Locally, some counties have seen an increase in production and use. Harrison
County Sheriff Mark Miller feels that meth labs are on the increase in the
Ohio Valley. When it comes to putting a stop to the rising meth problem,
Miller sees the solution in funding and penalties.

"There needs to be more government provided funds to help county agencies
combat the problem. Also, there needs to be stiffer penalties handed down by
the judges - there is too much plea bargaining on drug cases," said Sheriff
Miller.

While Jefferson County Sheriff Fred Abdalla said that he hasn't seen much of
a meth increase in his county, he seems to agree with Miller on the
solutions.

"(There needs to be more) public awareness as to its dangers and stiffer
penalties for the producers," said Abdalla.

Miller does feel that retail limits on over-the-counter cold medicines, like
Sudafed, can help in decreasing local production.

"A good relationship between law enforcement and retailers selling such
products could be beneficial, as well. Retailers should report persons that
are purchasing products that are known to be used in meth production,"
Miller added.

Not only are many law enforcement agencies and jails being "flooded" with
meth offenders, other county agencies are facing situations involving
methamphetamine abuse. Cleaning up toxic chemicals and caring for children
of addicted parents are among the tasks more and more governmental
organizations face. Both Miller and Abdalla noted that their counties have
not had to face any expansive lab clean-ups.

In late 2000, St. Clairsville police discovered a meth lab in a basement
room of the Clarendon Hotel. They received a report that the man who resided
in the room, had died of a drug overdose in Columbus. He was soon discovered
that he was allegedly manufacturing amphetamines in his hotel room. Drug
Enforcement Agency officers were called in to handle the dangerous chemicals
and equipment.

In 2004 alone, three local cases of production, possession and abuse have
earned their positions in the public's eye. In the spring, an Alabama man
was stopped by the Ohio State Highway Patrol on Ohio 800 in Warren Township.
The man allegedly had a meth lab in the stolen car that he was driving. He
was charged with illegal possession of chemicals to make illegal drugs,
among other charges.

Also, on March 4, 2004, Bridgeport Police responded to a call regarding a
possible meth lab on Laipple Street in Bridgeport. Items such as an ammonia
tank, drain cleaner, ether and iodized salt were found in the home.

Three Belmont County residents involved in the lab were indicted by the
grand jury . The main defendant was found guilty of manufacturing
methamphetamines, while the other two were tried for related charges.

In August of 2004, a Martins Ferry pair were arrested after large amounts of
various drugs were found in their vehicle, including 75 grams of meth,
valued at $6,000.

Often the costs of cleaning up a lab are so substantial that many counties
can not afford to do so properly. It can cost anywhere from $5,000 to
$150,000 to clean up one lab. There are several internet sites that provide
guidelines for cleaning up such hazardous labs.

For anyone who suspects a meth lab near their residence, there are a few
things to be on the look out for. Unusually strong odors (like cat urine,
ether, acetone, ammonia or other chemicals) and excessive amounts of trash
with large numbers of lantern fuel cans, red stained coffee filters,
antifreeze containers or duct tape are a few things that could indicate the
presence of a lab.

According to a survey of 500 sheriff's departments in 45 states, 90 percent
of those interviewed reported increased meth-related arrests over the last
three years. In addition, more than half view methamphetamine as the leading
drug problem facing their department.

Methamphetamine is getting closer to home spreading into Indiana. The
problem is so substantial, that in one Indiana County, it is estimated that
80 percent of inmates in its jail are held on meth-related charges.
Midwestern sheriffs are also facing such a large amount of meth offenses
that they are being pulled away from fighting other crimes.

States that report a doubling of meth arrests over the last five years
include Ohio, Indiana, Iowa, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, South Carolina,
Oregon, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Washington, Wyoming,
Tennessee and Utah. States reporting similar trends in the last three years
include Kentucky, South Dakota, Georgia and Iowa.

While the greatest increases are in the southwest, upper midwest and
northwest, it is easy to see the spread into the northeast, southeast and
east coast in general. It is costing counties and states millions of dollars
to treat and/or incarcerate meth abusers.

Yet, despite obvious increases and epidemic-like spreading of the problem,
authorities at the national level don't feel that the problem is as big as
others.

White House Political Analyst Dave Murray said that while he understands
that meth is spreading at a serious rate nationwide, he did not agree that
it had reached a state of epidemic.

The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy recently announced
that its stance that marijuana remains the nation's largest drug problem
still stands.

According to federal estimates, about 15 million U.S. citizens use
marijuana, while only 1 million use methamphetamines.

Attention is now turning to the question of why there is not a bigger
response at the national level. Congress members are becoming more vocal as
stories of meth's deadly grip on their states' communities reach their ears.
They are now accusing Washington of addressing the problem at a "snail-like
pace". Many representatives want to know what it will take for the federal
government to respond.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Josh