Pubdate: Thu, 23 Aug 2001 Source: Detroit Free Press (MI) Copyright: 2001 Detroit Free Press Contact: http://www.mapinc.org/media/125 Website: http://www.freep.com/ Author: Amy Franklin Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine) METH LABS SPREADING IN MICHIGAN LANSING -(AP)- Police already have discovered and dismantled more home methamphetamine labs this year in Michigan than in all of 2000, but one law enforcement officer said Wednesday the state hasn't seen the worst of the problem. "We're just in the beginning stages of busts," said Michigan State Police Lt. Rick Aro, who leads the State Police's methamphetamine unit. "We're trying to get a hold on it before the drug has a hold here." The discovery of at least 60 drug labs by local and state authorities so far this year exceeds the 40 discovered all of last year, State Police Inspector Mike Bush said. That's still much lower than the 1,000 methamphetamine labs that have been discovered in Missouri this year. The methamphetamine phenomenon is sweeping Michigan from west to east after starting out in California and Arizona, Aro said. Authorities in mid-Michigan now are seeing the same increase in meth production that those on the western side of the state first saw a few years ago. Last week, State Police raided a meth lab in the tiny town of Pewamo on the Ionia-Clinton county line for the second time. Police trying to locate the home owner to arrest him for manufacturing the drug in June discovered the lab operating again. A meth lab was found in the rural Clinton County town of Eagle in July. In June, Scott Lee Tupper, 41, was arrested for having enough chemicals in his Grand Ledge home in Eaton County to make more than 10 pounds of the highly addictive meth. Eaton County Prosecutor Jeff Sauter said his office is investigating five methamphetamine cases. "I'd call it a noticeable increase," Sauter said. "At this time last year, I don't think we had any." The synthetic stimulant lasts much longer than cocaine and can be made in clandestine laboratories with relatively inexpensive over-the-counter ingredients, Bush said. The powdery white or brown drug can be smoked, snorted, injected or eaten. It causes increased activity, decreased appetite, and a general sense of well-being. The effects of methamphetamine can last six to eight hours. After the initial rush, there is typically a state of high agitation that in some individuals can lead to violent or psychotic behavior. Despite the increase of drug busts in mid-Michigan, the counties of Van Buren, St. Joseph and Allegan continue to lead the state in the number of methamphetamine labs discovered, Aro said. Raids on labs in Allegan County account for one-third of the state's total busts, Bush said. He's worried the spreading number of labs could overwhelm law enforcement officials in some areas of the state. Besides the cost of detecting meth labs and arresting those involved, meth labs can be expensive to clean up. It cost an average of $5,000 last year to outfit each officer in a hazardous material uniform so they could safely remove toxic chemicals from meth labs, Bush said. Among the toxic chemicals used to make the drug are anhydrous ammonia, starter fluid, lithium batteries and ephedrine. Authorities are getting some help controlling the labs from a toll-free hot line that allows callers to anonymously report meth production. A number of the tips received so far resulted in raids, said Jim McBryde, who works on drug policy for the Michigan Department of Community Health. Meth producers also face a new state law that makes it a 10-year felony to possess meth-making equipment or own or use a building or vehicle to manufacture the drug. The penalty increases to 20 years if the drug is manufactured near a school, church, business or residence. - --- MAP posted-by: Doc-Hawk