Pubdate: Wed, 14 Feb 2007 Source: Red Bluff Daily News (CA) Copyright: 2007 Red Bluff Daily News Contact: http://redbluffdailynews.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1079 Author: Abby Fox Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine) SHASTA CLAIMS STRIDES IN FIGHT AGAINST METH REDDING - Shasta County is "getting the upper hand in the fight against methamphetamine," according to the county's District Attorney's office, experiencing its lowest number of methamphetamine cases in more than a decade. The number of methamphetamine cases between 2005 and 2006 decreased 27.4 percent, according to District Attorney Jerry Benito. "In fact, the number of methamphetamine possession, sales, and transportation cases filed in 2006 is the lowest in Shasta County since before 1993," according to a release. "It was a shock to us," Benito said. "We were not expecting such a dramatic change." Benito attributes the success in part to a new policy in 2005 requiring all methamphetamine possession, sales and transportation cases to be prosecuted as felonies, whereas before, nearly 200 cases per year were prosecuted as misdemeanors. A stepped-up effort to send people to prison for failing drug treatment under Proposition 36 has helped, he added. People convicted of felonies are more likely to stick with treatment Advertisementprograms to get the help they need, he said, "now that there's a consequence" to meth use. More DUI cases are being prosecuted now too, "which we believe is a direct result of heightened awareness and efforts by law enforcement," the report said. The number of DUI arrests doubled from 2005 to 2006, according to the DA's office. Getting a DUI in Shasta County will alter your life. Once convicted of one, you have to stay away from bars or liquor stores for up to five years, he said. Not only that, but DUI felons are ordered to go to alcohol rehabilitation programs immediately and must report that they have done so. "We're trying to make sure they follow through," he said. The county has also done more warrant sweeps of those who were arrested for driving under the influence but didn't go to court, he said. As far as future goals are concerned, Benito said, the DA's office wants to "improve our work with victims" and work to stop illegal dumping. Trashing rural areas - rather than taking one's trash to the dump - has become a real problem, he said. In other news, more felony and misdemeanor cases were filed between 2005 and 2005, most of them in misdemeanor traffic violations. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman