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