Pubdate: Thu, 16 Sep 2010 Source: Times-Union (IN) Copyright: 2010 Times-Union Contact: http://www.timesuniononline.com Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1494 Author: Jen Gibson, Times-Union Staff Writer PANEL OF EXPERTS OUTLINES METH'S EFFECT ON THE COMMUNITY "It's heartbreaking day in and day out. The heartbreak is every day," said a member of the Kosciusko County Drug Task Force. Wednesday at the "Meth 2010: Killing a Community" workshop, a panel of local professionals spoke about the impact of methamphetamine on Kosciusko County and Indiana. Each person on the panel said there is one thing that will curb meth production significantly in the county: If pseudoephedrine is made a scheduled drug, which means it is available only by prescription, the number of individual meth labs will be reduced significantly. Pseudoephedrine is the only component that is required to produce methamphetamine in all methods of manufacturing the drug. Panel members at the morning session of the two-hour workshop included Dan Hampton, Kosciusko County deputy prosecutor; Steve Smith, Serenity House; Dana Leon, president of the Kosciusko County Bar Association; Captain Sherry Beck, Indiana State Police; John Sadler, Kosciusko County coroner; Mary Gerard, United Way community impact coordinator; Sally Mahnken, executive director of CASA; Vicki Ley, director of addiction services at Bowen Center; a recovering meth addict; and a member of the Kosciusko County Drug Task Force. According to an officer, when the drug task force was formed in 1987, it mostly focused on cocaine and marijuana in the community. Within the past five years, 80 to 90 percent of the drug task force's time has been funneled into fighting the meth problem. "Methamphetamine is at epidemic levels throughout the United States," the officer said, adding that a large portion of all crime in Kosciusko County can be traced back to meth in some way. The officer added that methamphetamine use and production is at an all-time high in the county, and showed examples of homes where meth labs have been found. There also were photos of children living in home with meth labs, and the officer said that many children are exposed to the drug by parents who are users or "cookers". Because meth affects the brain, symptoms exhibited by meth addicts can mimic those of a paranoid schizophrenic. However, paranoid schizophrenics can usually be treated with medication, and no such treatment exists for meth users. Also, most people who make meth do it for their own use, not to sell for profit. "This is not a profit-driven drug, it is a drug-driven drug," the officer said. He also said that 66 percent of people jailed in the United States are incarcerated for meth-related crimes. Fifty percent of the inmates in Kosciusko County Jail are in for crimes related to meth directly or indirectly. Sherry Beck, a captain with the Indiana State Police, said that in 1970 ephedrine was a scheduled drug, and making the drug available only by prescription like Oregon did would significantly cut into meth production in Indiana. In 2001, Oregon police reported having 700 meth labs. After pseudoephedrine was returned to prescription status, that number was reduced to 10 in 2009. "If you eliminate the ephedrine, it is impossible to make meth," Beck said. Beck also added that education is a key to fighting the meth problem. "We all have to learn about it and combat it together," Beck said. "We have to come together in Indiana as a united front and show we are serious about this problem." Representatives from Serenity House and the Bowen Center talked about treatment options for people addicted to meth. Meth treatment is a long process that can take years and requires patience and perseverance. A recovering meth addict also addressed the audience. "Meth seduces your mind into thinking it only needs that drug," he said. The man, who was only identified as Ryan, said he had a well-paying job, a good family and many friends before he started using meth. After he started using the drug, he said he isolated himself from his family and friends. "It took me six or seven years to lose everything," Ryan said. "It grabbed ahold of me like nothing ever grabbed ahold of me in my life." Ryan was arrested for dealing methamphetamine within 1,000 feet of a school, a Class A felony. He said that the drug completely destroyed his life and he regretted hurting his family. "No family member deserves to go through what I put (my mother) through," Ryan said. "It has not been an easy journey for me." For more information about meth in Kosciusko County, visit www.killingacommunity.com Each person in the panel suggested that people contact their legislators to make pseudoephedrine available by prescription only. State Representatives for this area are: David Wolkins (R), District 18 501 Pierceton Road Winona Lake, IN 46590 E-mail: Phone: 574-269-2639 William C. Friend (R), District 23 3127 W. CR 1500N Macy, IN 46951 E-mail: State Senators for this area are: Marlin Stutzman (R) District 13 0250W 600N Howe, IN 46746 E-mail: Phone: 260-562-3303 Ryan Mishler (R) District 9 P.O. Box 202 Bremen, IN 46506 E-mail: Phone: 574-546-2861 Jim Banks (R) District 17 Unopposed candidate for the November 2010 election 283 S. Eagle Glen Trail Columbia City, IN 46725 www.jimbanks.us Randy Head (R) Logansport, IN E-mail: --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D