Pubdate: Sun, 21 Mar 2004 Source: Cleveland Daily Banner (TN) Copyright: 2004 Cleveland Daily Banner Contact: http://www.clevelandbanner.com Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/947 Author: Greg Kaylor Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine) METH PERILS PRESENTATIONS SET FOR APRIL 5 Preparations are under way for an April 5 program on the dangers of methamphetamine. The community-wide program will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Cleveland High School Commons. "Deputies from the Bradley County Sheriff's Office, Cleveland Police Department and the 10th Judicial Drug Task Force will discuss how meth is produced, the dangers presented during the cooking process, effects on users, clean-up of illegal clandestine labs and other topics," said Bob Gault, media officer for BCSO. Educators are especially urged to attend the program. A flyer being printed to announce the event states, "You Never Know Where The Next Meth Lab Raid Or Explosion Could Be... Your Neighborhood, The Next Motel Room, Street Corner... Virtually Anywhere." Ironically, DTF and Special Investigations Unit agents were serving a federal warrant on a methamphetamine suspect Thursday and discovered a working lab. The house being used to produce the meth was situated next door to a bank and another business, and across the street from a popular restaurant. Two additional clandestine meth labs have been discovered since Thursday. The flyer is designed to inform the public of the meeting. Anyone can be affected by the methamphetamine problem. Organizers want to raise community awareness of the local problem. "The program is being sponsored in conjunction with Olin-Arch Community Advisory Panel and Cleveland Media Association," said Gault. Methamphetamine has been referred to as the "Moonshine of the New Millennium." The illegal, homemade concoction of over-the-counter, store-bought items is blended and produces one of the most addictive and potentially deadly narcotics ever invented. According to local drug agents, only 10 percent of the user population survives or is able to abstain from using the narcotic. Additional information concerning the Community Methamphetamine Awareness Conference will be forthcoming. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom