Pubdate: Fri, 23 Aug 2002
Source: Crossville Chronicle, The (TN)
Copyright: 2002 The Crossville Chronicle
Contact:  http://www.crossville-chronicle.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1972
Author: Jim Butler

LAWMEN, EDUCATORS TEAM UP FOR WAR ON METH

Over the past several months much has been written and said about the 
dangers of manufacturing and using the drug crystal methamphetamine, often 
referred to as "the poor man's cocaine." Other issues are now being 
addressed regarding the damaging effects that the production and use of 
this illegal drug has on all of us.

A rural drug that seems to have replaced marijuana as the drug of choice 
for many, the Cumberland Plateau appears to be its manufacturing capital. 
The number of meth-related arrests and lab seizures has increased 
dramatically over the past year and repeat offenders are the rule, not the 
exception. There have been cases when the same individuals were arrested on 
consecutive days for the very same meth producing offense. The only thing 
that changed was the location. That illustrates the highly addictive nature 
of this menace that can be produced from ingredients readily available for 
consumer purchase.

While the effects on the producers and users are easily seen, the long term 
effects on others are not so obvious, but can be devastating, especially 
from an emotional standpoint. Family members suffer from the loss of a son 
or daughter, brother or sister, or, in the most tragic cases, a youngster 
loses one or both parents. This loss is not necessarily due to death; 
rather, the drug is so powerful that it takes priority over family 
relationships. Jobs are lost, careers are ruined, and families destroyed by 
the user's need for the temporary euphoric state brought on by the drug.

The financial impact, while not directly affecting most, can be 
substantial. Hospital staffs have to be retrained to know how to deal with 
patients who are often combative and come in for treatment with hazardous 
materials on their person. In some cases, a slight amount of water mixed 
with these volatile ingredients could cause a violent explosion. Additional 
security has been added to many medical facilities due to the 
ever-increasing number of meth-related illnesses dealt with.

Statistics show that 90 percent of those are uninsured and the cost of the 
battery of tests alone can be as much as $2,000. Psychiatric transfers from 
medical facilities are numerous, many of them meth-related, and the 
transportation costs alone are substantial.

Law enforcement agencies have also had to undergo additional training to 
help ensure the safety of officers and the general public when dealing with 
labs and offenders. Additional equipment is required and the cost of 
cleanup at a lab site by a hazardous materials team is an average of 
approximately $5,000 per occurrence. Over the past year there have been 
more than 300 incidents investigated by the Cumberland County Sheriff's 
Department involving meth, however, not all required a disposal team. This 
does not include the large number that have been handled by City of 
Crossville law enforcement. There are three private firms in the state that 
are qualified to dispose of the hazardous materials.

Sheriff Butch Burgess said that Cumberland County is fortunate to have a 
total of five law enforcement officers who are certified as lab techs, four 
deputies and one city police officer. One of the deputies is also qualified 
as a site safety supervisor. Burgess added that additional manpower is 
needed, however, the funding for that is just not available. As an example 
of the increase in the drug's manufacture and use, on one evening recently, 
city officers and county deputies each seized a methamphetamine lab.

In addition to fighting the production and use of the drug through 
investigations and arrests, law enforcement has teamed with Cumberland 
Medical Center and the Neighborhood Watch Program to take methamphetamine 
education to the classroom, the church-room, and to the meeting room of 
many civic organizations to provide seminars for interested groups 
regarding the dangers presented by the presence of meth. Most recently the 
seminars, titled "Is there a meth lab cooking in your neighborhood?", have 
been presented at area schools to the teachers and administration. These 
will, hopefully, help the teachers spot any possible signs of a student's 
exposure to the dangerous drug.
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