Pubdate: Tue, 05 Aug 2003
Source: Gleaner, The (Henderson, KY)
Copyright: 2003 The E.W. Scripps Co
Contact:  http://www.thegleaner.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1634
Note: Requires 'Letter to editor' in the subject line of e-mail

METH ABUSE PROGRAM TEACHES RECOGNITION

MAYSVILLE, Ky. (AP) -- As abuse of the drug methamphetamine grows 
throughout the state, an Ohio River community will work to keep the drug 
out of its neighborhood.

The Buffalo Trace Agency for Substance Abuse Policy will host the Meth 
Lookout Program on August 12 at the Maysville Community College. The 
workshop is designed to help retailers, public utilities, hotel and lodging 
owners and emergency workers spot people setting up methamphetamine labs, 
said Karen Hall, a substance abuse prevention specialist with the Buffalo 
Trace Regional Prevention Center.

Hall said she wants retailers to be able to spot people buying an excessive 
amount of the ingredients for making methamphetamine and hotel owners to 
recognize activity that would indicate a meth operation on the premises.

Public utilities and emergency workers who may encounter meth labs should 
also attend the event to know of hazardous chemicals and other dangers they 
will come into contact within a meth lab, she said.

Hall said if the public is informed and can see the warning signs, the 
problem might not spread to the Maysville area.

Maysville has experienced little methamphetamine traffic compared to 
regions across the Ohio River and in the western portion of the county, 
said Maysville Police Chief Van Ingram. The methamphetamine traffic in the 
city has been limited to a few arrests, he said.

While the problem hasn't hit Maysville hard yet, Ingram said, it is only a 
matter of time before the drug starts to filter over more.

"You would be a fool to think the drug isn't crossing the river," Ingram said.

Authorities in Adams County, Ohio have had their hands full with labs 
springing up in abundance, said Detective Jeff McCarty with the Adams 
County Sheriff's Office. In some weeks, the sheriff's office clean out as 
many as four labs, he said.
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart