Pubdate: Sun, 01 Apr 2001
Source: Indianapolis Star (IN)
Copyright: 2001 Indianapolis Newspapers Inc.
Contact:  http://www.starnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/210
Author: Tim Evans

BUSINESSES ALERTED TO ITEMS USED FOR METH

Morgan County Officers Distributing Posters To Stem Sale Of Drug's Ingredients.

Mark Pearson had no idea he might be unwittingly adding to the boom in 
methamphetamine production in Indiana.

But he learned last week that his business, Pearson Brothers NAPA in 
Martinsville, sells many of the ingredients used to make the illegal drug.

His eyes were opened by an educational outreach program of the Morgan 
County Sheriff's Department, which is distributing informational posters to 
businesses that sell the items known as "precursors."

"I had no idea of the things they use," said Pearson. "We sell some of the 
stuff and we use some of it, too."

The Sheriff's Department effort is part of a statewide campaign of the 
Indiana Drug Enforcement Association, a nonprofit organization that 
promotes cooperation and communication among local, state and federal 
narcotics officers.

Pearson isn't alone in his ignorance about the drug, said Gary Ashenfelter, 
training director for IDEA.

"Most people, unfortunately, don't know anything about how methamphetamine 
is made," he said. "That's why we are trying to get this information out."

Precursors can be purchased almost anywhere: grocery stores, pharmacies, 
large department stores, farm supply centers, and even smaller businesses 
like Pearson's auto parts and repair shop.

The legal items -- including ether, over-the-counter cold medications, 
lithium batteries, drain cleaners, lye, acetone, plastic tubing and coffee 
filters -- can be combined relatively easily to create the potent and 
profitable drug.

And that is prompting wannabe chemists to "cook" batches of 
methamphetamine, pounds at a time, in makeshift laboratories set up in 
homes, garages and motel rooms. In December, Avon police found a meth lab 
in a car they stopped on U.S. 36.

Because methamphetamine is cheap and easy to make, production and use have 
skyrocketed in Indiana in the past three years, said Ashenfelter.

"It's out of control," he said. "Every year the number of labs 
(investigators find) is doubling. We'll probably take down 800 labs in 
Indiana this year."

A bill that would increase penalties for meth users and manufacturers to 
match those for crack cocaine and other illegal narcotics is awaiting the 
signature of Gov. Frank O'Bannon.

If he signs it, the law will create penalties for transporting and storing 
chemicals to make meth.

But not everyone is so high on the idea of posting the ingredients on the 
walls of stores.

"I think there is a basic problem with the concept of government or law 
enforcement putting private citizens in the position of 'snitching' on each 
other," said Indianapolis attorney and civil libertarian Stephen Dillon.

"There is nothing in American history, tradition or religious history to 
encourage people to snitch on each other. I think it is wrong and shouldn't 
be encouraged."

Law enforcement officials disagree.

First Sgt. David Phelps, who heads the Indiana State Police clandestine lab 
team, said public awareness is key to stemming the flood of methamphetamine 
production.

"It's kind of like a revolving door. Law enforcement has to know what's 
going on, and they have to educate the public. Then the public has to tell 
police when they see something suspicious," he said.

Phelps said awareness efforts have been very successful in western Indiana. 
"The State Police post in Terre Haute is now getting calls on an almost 
daily basis."

Morgan County officials launched their campaign because they have seen an 
increase in methamphetamine use and related crimes, said Detective Larry 
Sanders.

He said a couple of labs have been discovered in the county, and a number 
of burglars arrested recently had the drug on them.

Testimony in a Morgan County murder trial last month also revealed that 
methamphetamine fueled the dispute that led to the fatal shooting of a 
Brooklyn man in November.

Sheriff Charlie Beaver hopes the proactive approach will pay dividends.

"If we can bring about some more public awareness, maybe it will help us 
identify some people operating meth labs," Beaver said. "We're asking 
merchants to keep their eyes open and help us by letting us know if they 
see something suspicious."

The key for merchants, he said, is to watch for people buying large 
quantities of the items.

"It may be immaterial if someone is buying one of the items by itself," 
Beaver said. "But if they are buying them in large quantities or 
repeatedly, it should send up a red flag."

Pearson said he doesn't think he's had any customers buying items to 
manufacture methamphetamine, but he said he's more than happy to keep an 
eye out for suspicious activity.

Sanders said the week-old program already has deterred at least one 
suspicious purchase at another store in Morgan County.

"We got a call from one place where we took a poster, and they said two 
guys walked in and picked up several precursors, but when they saw the 
poster they put the stuff down and left."
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart