Pubdate: Wed, 04 May 2005 Source: La Crosse Tribune (WI) Contact: 2005, The La Crosse Tribune Website: http://www.lacrossetribune.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/229 Author: Kate Schott Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine) SUMMIT AT LACROSSE CENTER TACKLES METH ISSUES John Zimmerman applauded recent efforts by some retailers to make it more difficult to obtain large quantities of certain cold and allergy products. As a sergeant with the La Crosse County Sheriff's Department, Zimmerman knows products like Sudafed and NyQuil are used to manufacture methamphetamine. They contain the nasal decongestant pseudoephedrine, a key ingredient in the drug. "The more we can take away a piece of the puzzle, the more we can stay ahead of the game," Zimmerman said. According to the federal Drug Enforcement Administration, methamphetamine - often called meth - is a white powder that can be dissolved or shaped into clear, chunky crystals or small, brightly-colored tablets. Zimmerman was one of about 40 people who attended a Wisconsin Department of Justice Methamphetamine Summit at the La Crosse Radisson on Tuesday organized by Wisconsin Attorney General Peg Lautenschlager. He also is one of five county law enforcement officials to receive Clandestine Laboratory Enforcement and Response Team training on how to safely dismantle meth labs. About 100 city, county and state officials have received the training. Cindy Giese, special agent in charge of the Wisconsin Methamphetamine Initiative, said meth didn't seem like a huge problem in 1999, when only eight labs were found in Wisconsin. Those numbers have since climbed, she said, peaking at 112 labs in 2003. While the problem is not as big as in neighboring states such as Iowa, where more than 1,300 labs were found last year, labs are turning up throughout Wisconsin, Giese said. The drug also is coming in from the Twin Cities and spreading east, he said. La Crosse County assistant district attorney Todd Bjerke said he has handled 66 meth cases in the past five years. The next step for the state is to put in place the Drug Endangered Children program, said Dave Forsythe, the special agent in charge of the program. He said the initiative is a cooperative approach to make sure all agencies - - such as law enforcement, social services and medical services - work together to rescue and provide long-term support for children found in areas where illegal substances are produced. The need is great, he said: Children are exposed to toxins and other hazards at drug labs, such as weapons and unstable adults. He said about 700 children present in meth labs in 2001 tested positive for toxic levels of chemicals. Five Wisconsin counties already have received DEC training. A two-day training is scheduled for next week in Chippewa Falls; Forsythe said 325 people are signed up with a waiting list. [sidebars] WHAT IS METHAMPHETAMINE A synthetic stimulant that is highly addictive. The drug produces euphoric effects that can last up to 24 hours. It is inexpensive and relatively east to produce. It can be injected, smoked, snorted or ingested orally. It is considered a Schedule II substance under the Controlled Substances Act. The drug can cause rapid heart rate, increased blood pressure and damage small blood vessels in the brain, which can lead to stroke. Chronic use can result in inflammation of the heart lining. Those who abuse it can also have episodes of violent behavior, paranoia, anxiety, confusion and insomnia. Source - National Drug Intelligence Center, a component of the U.S. Department of Justice NUMBERS OF METH LABS FOUND IN WISCONSIN 1999 - 8 2000 - 38 2001 - 55 2002 - 84 2003 - 112 2004 - 90 Source - Wisconsin Department of Justice Methamphetamine Initiative - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake