Pubdate: Tue, 03 Feb 2009 Source: Creston News Advertiser (IA) Copyright: 2009 Creston Publishing Company Contact: http://www.crestonnewsadvertiser.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4935 Author: Andy Goodell Note: This is the first in a two-part series examining drug abuse and its consequences in the Creston area. Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis) POT, PILLS, METH PLAGUE CRESTON AREA Marijuana, meth and pills. Whether they're being smoked, snorted or injected, these drugs are abused regularly in Creston. Creston Police Chief Paul Ver Meer said the drug problem in Creston is being combated with "aggressive patrol" by his officers. This includes the use of informants and enforcement of laws on the books, added Ver Meer. "We have zero tolerance for any controlled substance abuse," said Ver Meer plainly. "If we find somebody with drugs, they're going to be arrested." However, Ver Meer said the best way to have his officers fighting the drug problem as best they can is through drug law enforcement training. Ver Meer brought up the fact that the average age of officers on the Creston Police Department is fairly young and experience is key in fighting illegal drug use in their town. "We have a lot of young officers and they have to know what to look for," said Ver Meer. Why They Use Ver Meer and Crossroads Mental Health Center director Rick Rice agreed alcohol is a gateway substance, which can lead some people to get high in other ways. Ver Meer specifically cited poor socioeconomic status for drug abuse. "If they have a strong family nucleus, you'll find it's usually less (that they're) doing drugs than if it's a family whose father or mother is missing," Ver Meer said. Ver Meer said there may be a connection between the economic recession in America and increased drug abuse. "People that use drugs, they use them for a reason, to help with some type of situation they can't control, be it marriage problems, job problems, financial problems," said Ver Meer. "If they're not working they feel like they're not a gainful member of society, it could lead to that." Peer pressure to experiment with drugs among Creston youths is not as big a factor as it once was, Ver Meer noted. He said the youths of today think for themselves a lot more than they did when he was growing up. There's no age limit on those being arrested for illegal drug-related crimes, said Ver Meer. He said, since starting with the department only a few months ago, he's seen everyone from juveniles to those in their 40s get busted. "Usually the older ones are into the harder drugs," explained Ver Meer. "They've just been doing it longer." Drugs Of Choice Marijuana is the most widely used illegal drug in the United States, and Creston is no exception. Ver Meer said the drug is at the top of the list when it comes to drug offenses in Creston. Even though some marijuana users are repulsed by the idea of using other drugs such as meth and cocaine, Ver Meer said these people are breaking the law just the same. He added, Meth is second in line when it comes to the top drugs abuse in the Creston area. "Some people smoke marijuana and don't think it's any worse than cigarettes, which I believe is wrong" said Ver Meer. "It's illegal for a reason." Rice said the reason people end up doing certain drugs depends on a very simple concept - they'll do whatever is available to them locally. Unfortunately, this can lead to addiction, which can consume a person's life before they're even aware it's a problem, he said. "It used to be that 40 years ago alcohol was the primary one with some drug usage," explained Rice. "But now we see whatever is available, what ever they can get a hold of."