Pubdate: Sun, 12 Jan 2003 Source: Chillicothe Gazette (OH) Copyright: 2003 Chillicothe Gazette Address: 50 West Main St., Chillicothe, OH 45601 Website: http://www.chillicothegazette.com Fax: 740-772-9505 Contact: KIRRAN SYED METH USE NOW AN EPIDEMIC Officials See Progress In Battling Drug About meth Drug name: Methamphetamine Aliases: Street methamphetamine is referred to by many names, such as "speed," "meth," and "chalk." Methamphetamine hydrochloride, clear chunky crystals resembling ice, which can be inhaled by smoking, is referred to as "ice," "crystal," and "glass." What is it: "Meth" is an addictive stimulant drug that strongly activates certain systems in the brain. It is closely related chemically to amphetamine, but the central nervous system effects of methamphetamine are greater. Both drugs have some medical uses. How it's made: In illegal laboratories and has a high potential for abuse and dependence. How it's taken: Taken orally or by snorting the powder, by intravenous injection, and by smoking. Dangers: Effects of methamphetamine include respiratory problems, irregular heartbeat, and extreme anorexia. Can result in cardiovascular collapse and death. Source: www.nida.nih.gov Give a call Anyone who notices a suspicious person lingering in fields or on property where chemicals may be stored should notify the Ross County Sheriff's Department at 773-1186. If the department determines that a threat of chemical theft exists, surveillance would be set up. While state and local officials are not surprised by the growth of methamphetamine as a drug in southern Ohio, they do believe they are making progress in the battle to combat it. The production and consumption of methamphetamine has steadily increased and the number of clandestine labs have almost quadrupled since 1999 in Ohio, say local law enforcement officials. Pete Tobin, the narcotics section chief at the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation, said the growth is worrying, but not unexpected given the drug's explosion in the western U.S. "Methamphetamine and the illicit manufacturing of methamphetamine really started some 10 years ago in California and has been creeping eastward ever since," Tobin said. "Last year, we had between 110 and 115 labs. If you go two states over to Illinois, they had 800 labs last year. If you go to Missouri, they had about 2,000," he said. In Ohio, the majority of labs were found south of Columbus. "It is absolutely an epidemic to states to our west and we suspect that in due time, we will be overrun with this stuff and we'll be packing the prisons full," he said. A cheap high Methamphetamine, commonly known as speed, is a highly toxic, powerful central nervous system stimulant. It can be smoked, injected or taken orally and has effects similar to those offered by cocaine. While it looks similar to and costs about as much as cocaine, the high offered by meth lasts much longer, making it attractive to consumers. Unlike cocaine, most of which is imported, meth can cheaply be produced domestically, offering a higher profit to sellers. The drug is created using a recipe available on the Internet and common chemicals like anhydrous ammonia and ephedrine. When combined incorrectly, the mixture becomes unstable and can explode. Law enforcement officials view the meth labs as hazardous material sites, said Tobin. When the chemical explodes and results in a fire, he said, the sites become traps for firefighters who are attempting to use other chemicals or water to subdue the fire. Specially trained and equipped officers can dismantle the labs, he said. Most producers create small batches of methamphetamine, selling enough to survive on and using the remainder to feed their habits, say officials. Finding the labs Ross County Sheriff Ron Nichols said action to catch and punish producers and consumers now would make the county an unattractive place for them and serve as an effective deterrent to others. "We are making a significant impact on these methamphetamine labs. We're a long way from where we need to be, but we are making progress," he said. "They are moving to elsewhere, going to other counties." "Many times, unless you see (the labs), you won't catch them," Nichols said. In late 2000, several Ross County Sheriff's deputies were trained in how to safely dismantle a methamphetamine lab to reduce the time delay between identification and arrest. Previously, local law enforcement had to wait for trained Drug Enforcement Agency officials to dismantle the labs. The labs are treated like hazardous material accident sites because of the volatile chemicals involved and the toxic waste residue that remains after the drug is produced. Learning the signs Nichols said law enforcement officials are becoming adept at following the signs that methamphetamine is being produced. One of the clues is the strong smell of chemicals where they should not be present. Another clue is the purchase or theft of chemicals used to produce the drug. "Now, we can shut them down before they have the opportunity to move them, so the element of surprise will be on our side," he said. Several steps to combat the growth in production and consumption of methamphetamine are now in place. Training to help officials recognize and safely deal with meth and labs. All levels of law enforcement are cooperating with suppliers of chemicals used in meth production to increase reporting and tracking when suspicious purchases or thefts occur. A database has been developed to track and collect reports to monitor methamphetamine production and related arrests. Punish the guilty Local justice officials say the are pursuing the strictest punishments possible for anyone caught producing or consuming methamphetamine in an attempt to slow its growth in the region. "All drugs are bad, but this drug, as far as drugs go, is the worst of the worst," said Pike County Prosecutor Rob Junk. "Everything about it is just so dangerous. It's dangerous to manufacture, it's dangerous to take." Methamphetamine, like opium, is a schedule two controlled substance, he said. Manufacturing it in any amount is a second-degree felony punishable by up to eight years in prison and up to a $20,000 fine. The penalty for possession depends on the amount. Small amounts result in a fifth-degree felony, which carries up to one year in prison and up to a $2,500 fine. Larger amounts can result in up to a first-degree felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison and up to a $25,000 fine. In August 2001, the state legislature passed a special provision making it illegal to assemble or possess the chemicals for the manufacture of any controlled substance, Junk said. Prior to this, a possession of criminal tools charge would have been applied. Junk said the emergence of support for this special provision was partially due to fear that methamphetamine was increasing in Ohio. It also indicates a determination, at all levels, to stunt its spread. - --- MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart