Pubdate: Sun, 01 Aug 2004 Source: Kingman Daily Miner (AZ) Contact: http://www.kingmandailyminer.com/ Address: 3015 Stockton Hill Road, Kingman, Arizona 86401 Fax: (928) 753-5661 Copyright: 2004 Kingman Daily Miner Authors: Marvin Robertson, and Caleb Soptelean SOLVING CITY'S DRUG PROBLEM TAKES EFFORT KINGMAN - The Kingman area has a drug problem and too little is being done to stop drug use or help the victims and their families. That is the consensus of users, parents, law enforcement agencies, social agencies, treatment groups and employers contacted by Miner reporters this week. Methamphetamines, marijuana and alcohol are the major drugs in Kingman, with many others available. Agencies that work with law enforcement, the courts and treatment facilities are unanimous about the need for better treatment. "We need local residential facilities for detox and treatment," representatives of medical, mental health, social service and shelter agencies said in a Thursday meeting. Users and families interviewed said Kingman has a huge gap between the need for treatment and the availability of facilities for timely and affordable help. Community acceptance that the problem exists and is the first step toward a solution, they said. "I had no idea what was happening or how to know my son was using drugs when it all started," a local mother said. After years of struggle with a happy ending, she wants to help the community resolve the local drug problem. Kingman Police Chief Bob DeVries put a four-officer flex team on the street for six weeks to attack the problem at the street level. Kingman residents attending the first two "Coffee with the Cops" programs said drugs are easily available and creating additional problems. "Law enforcement alone is not enough," DeVries said. "It is a community social problem that needs everyone involved." DeVries said drug-related arrests in Kingman have increased 35.7 percent in the first six months of 2004 as compared to the first six months of 2003. The most recent figures available from the Mohave County Sheriff's Office show their drug-related arrests increased 88 percent from 2002 to 2003 in the area surrounding Kingman, which includes North Kingman and Golden Valley. The large increase is primarily due to saturation sweeps the sheriff's office began in April 2003, Sheriff Tom Sheahan said. The sweeps targeted specific areas of the county, as deputies searched for those with outstanding misdemeanor and felony warrants. "We're finding drugs in the house or car," Sheahan said. The idea for the saturation sweeps came from conversations with residents who wanted "extra patrol." Sheahan met with staff and together they developed the program, which is continuing. "When people see these (MCSO) cars, it tends to keep the crime down," he said. "It becomes an element of surprise" because county residents don't know what neighborhood is going to be targeted next. No one can really compare Kingman's drug use with other communities. But in 1996-97, approximately one-third of the methamphetamine laboratory busts in Arizona were in Mohave County, said MAGNET Sgt. Emmit Sturgill. He said the local "meth lab" situation is better now because the drugs are being manufactured in Mexico and imported into the southwestern U.S. Most law enforcement officers say Kingman's situation is no better and no worse than similar small, rural communities. Yet, national statistics indicate a net increase in drug use by juveniles in age groups from 12 to 17 was up 49 percent between 1992 and 2001. These are the latest statistics available from federal sources. Sheahan said a three-pronged program is needed to reduce drug use and the legal, business and social problems that follow. "It takes education, strict law enforcement and adequate treatment programs," he said. Funding for education has been reduced and is available primarily in sixth grade for 13 weeks. Sheahan's staff covers 134 schools with a single officer in the Drug Awareness and Resistance Education program. National research indicates that more is required than a one-time education program. Kingman School Resource Officers work with students in city public schools. Only a part of their time is drug education, however. State legislation has mandated treatment, but the resources to provide treatment do not meet the need, probation officers said. The users and families interviewed underlined the scarce resources for treatment. The nearest residential treatment is in Flagstaff, and the $7,500 per month cost for a three month or longer stay is out of reach for many. Sheahan said a separate court for drug users would free up the crowded courts for other cases. A drug court that would give judges wide authority to emphasize treatment and the resources to follow up is needed, Sheahan said. He wants juveniles to have more treatment options and options other than jail time. The drug issue goes far beyond youth offenders both locally and nationally. The statistics show the peak age for treatment is 40 for both men and women. Local employers deal with drugs in the workplace, an issue that has safety and productivity ramifications. The Workforce Development Committee of the Kingman Area Chamber of Commerce has helped the employers at the Kingman Airport Industrial Park develop a drug-free workplace. Several employers have testing and support programs to assist employees. Suzanne Clark, director of Kingman Aid to Abused People, was one of several agency heads that said more cooperation between agencies is needed. "We are not all on the same page," Sheahan said. Drugs impact everyone in Kingman. The costs are human, financial and social. The community, judging from the comments to DeVries at the "Coffee with the Cops" sessions, recognizes the need for a solution. Law enforcement and schools can do only so much, DeVries said. Examples of successful community efforts are outlined on the Internet. Much information and research is available. Each program began with recognition of the problem. - --- MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart