Pubdate: Sun, 23 Jan 2005
Source: Virginian-Pilot (VA)
Copyright: 2005, The Virginian-Pilot
Contact:  http://www.pilotonline.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/483
Author: John Hopkins

ASSEMBLY CONFRONTS GROWING METH WOES

When police went to the Chesapeake home of Harry and Deborah Brown in
the Indian River area last summer, they seized rubber tubing, funnels,
filter paper, measuring spoons, glass flasks, and containers of
granular and crystallized substances.

Harry Brown, 40, a father of two and husband of 16 years, was charged
with manufacturing methamphetamine, a dangerous addictive stimulant.
His 39-year-old wife was charged with possession.

They are scheduled to stand trial next month in Chesapeake Circuit
Court.

The Browns were arrested May 6 after authorities said they found
chemicals and equipment typically used to produce meth, a drug made
cheaply with readily available over-the-counter cold and asthma
medicines containing pseudoephedrine.

The ease with which average citizens can make the drug, also known as
"speed" and "ice," has Virginia legislators concerned. Lawmakers have
introduced an array of bills to combat the drug, which is a major
problem in Southwest Virginia and is spreading, according to
authorities.

So far, Hampton Roads has been spared from the onslaught of the drug,
but it is around, said Randolph Benavente , resident agent in charge
of the Drug Enforcement Administration in Norfolk.

"There's no doubt," Benavente said.

One clear indication that the meth supply is growing locally is a drop
in the price. Years ago, the drug cost hundreds of dollars a gram, but
today it is selling on the street for $10 to $20 a gram, according to
the DEA.

The drug causes mood changes and anxiety.

Longterm users suffer chronic fatigue, paranoia and delusional
thoughts. When smoked, meth produces a high lasting 12 to 14 hours.

The effects on a user include increased heart rate, high blood
pressure and risk of stroke.

Last year, 81 clandestine meth labs were discovered statewide, a
increase from the 31 in 2003.

In the past four years, four meth labs have been raided in or near
Hampton Roads, Benavente said.

Two were in Chesapeake, and a third was a few feet over the state line
in Currituck County, N.C. The fourth was in the Newport News-Hampton
area, according to the DEA.

Meth labs have been discovered in kitchens, sheds and mobile
homes.

"You can do it in a bathtub," said Benavente. "They call them bathtub
labs. You can do them in a car."

Last March, local authorities arrested four local people when they
found a lab inside a ventilated cargo container on land near the
Chesapeake border.

"I guess they are able to set up shop almost like a cottage industry
out and about," said Sen. Nick Rerras, R-Norfolk.

Rerras and state Sen. Kenneth W. Stolle, R-Virginia Beach, are
co-sponsors of a bill, SB1156, that would increase the minimum penalty
for manufacturing meth from 5 years in prison to 10 years .

"It provides for a separate punishment for any adults who are doing
this kind of stuff when children are around and subjected to the
harmful by-products," Rerras said.

In the southwest reaches of Virginia, meth has emerged as a much
bigger problem. Del. Terry Kilgore, R-Gate City, represents a district
that includes Lee, Scott and parts o f Washington and Wise counties 
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