Pubdate: Sat, 28 Jan 2006
Source: Daily Record, The (Dunn, NC)
Copyright: 2006 The Daily Record
Contact:  http://www.dunndailyrecord.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1762
Author: Jason Beck
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?199 (Mandatory Minimum Sentencing)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/prison.htm (Incarceration)

ATTORNEY GENERAL ADDRESSES SAMPSON METH PROBLEM

Sampson County's continuing methamphetamine problem brought Attorney
General Roy Cooper to Clinton yesterday, where he attended a
countywide meth summit.

The summit was held at the Sampson County Agri-Exposition Center and
drew an attendance of more than 300 people who wanted to hear the
Attorney General speak on the newest drug epidemic.

Five-Year Plunge

According to the Mr. Cooper, the number of meth labs popping up all
over the state has been alarming in the last five years. In 1999,
there were only nine labs busted in the entire state. This year there
were 328.

He said the drug is not only popular, it is dangerous.

"Methamphetamine is a highly-addictive synthetic drug that is easier
to make and is much stronger and lasts longer than crack cocaine," he
said.

Innocent Victims

Meth doesn't only affect those who use it. The very process of making
the drug endangers those around it.

According to Dan Heinz, an instructor coordinator at the N.C. Justice
Academy who also spoke at the summit, meth labs are easy to set up and
often operate right under the public's noses.

Mr. Cooper explained how easy it is to manufacture the
drug.

"You have people making it in a house, in a car, the house next door,
a hotel room where you are staying," he said.

Mr. Heinz said even though the drug is startlingly easy to make, one
wrong move can cause a catastrophe. The cocktail used to brew the drug
leaves by-products of toxic gas, flammable chemicals and liquid acid.

Mr. Heinz explained the effects the toxic gas can have on human lungs.
Meth is made with either red phosphorous or ammonia, both of which can
kill at only 50 parts to a million.

He said the chemicals used, such as ether, are so flammable that
nearly 15-20 percent of all meth labs blow up. Acids used in the
project boil over and melt skin with ease.

Many meth labs are even in homes with children. According to the
attorney general, more than 200 children were removed from homes
manufacturing meth in North Carolina.

"Who's getting sick -- it's the children, the weak, the elderly and
the infirmed that are impacted first," Mr. Heinz said.

Despite all of the bad news, Attorney General Cooper said he has a
plan stop the rampant use of meth. Several of his ideas have already
gone into place.

"We passed a law that makes it mandatory prison time for manufacturing
methamphetamines," he said.

Last week another law went into effect that limited the sale of
pseudophedrine products such as Sudafed cold medicine because it is a
vital ingredient in the production of meth. The law only allows the
drug to be sold from behind a prescription counter and limits the
amount a consumer can buy.

"When you go into a store and see a row of Sudafed, you think cold
medicine," Mr. Cooper said. "When a criminal goes in and sees a row
full of Sudafed, they think methamphetamines."

He said the law was adopted in several other states in the Midwest nad
has cut meth labs by nearly 80 percent. North Carolina is the first
state on the East Coast to adopt the law.

He said after the meth labs are cut down, trafficking will increase
due to the high demand for the drug and law enforcement agencies will
have to step up their crackdowns on drug dealers.

Mr. Cooper also explained how the public must be educated about the
meth problem and schools, sanitation workers and social workers must
watch out for signs of a lab or dealers. He commended Sampson's
efforts at stopping the drug so far.

Mr. Cooper praised the county for its sheriff office's tough stance on
drugs, and said the high number of meth reports in the county doesn't
mean the authorities aren't doing their job.

"We are talking about methamphetamine busts, so you're doing something
right because you are busting these labs," he said.
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin