Pubdate: Thu, 03 Jun 2004
Source: Mountain Times, The (NC)
Copyright: 2004 The Mountain Times.
Contact: P.O. Box 1815, Boone, NC 28607
Website: http://www.mountaintimes.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1699
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)
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FOXX BILL: PUNISH METH OFFENDERS WHO HARM FIREFIGHTERS

Senator Sponsors Legislation Calling for Severe Punishment for Perpetrators

Sen. Virginia Foxx, R-Watauga, introduced legislation last week providing
for greater punishment for those who commit offenses with methamphetamine
that result in serious bodily injury to law enforcement officers or
firefighters.

Foxx was inspired to take action after receiving a constituent letter from
the mother of a former Deep Gap volunteer firefighter who nearly died while
fighting a blaze at a mobile home that also served as a meth lab.

Watauga Sheriff Mark Shook, Senator Virginia Foxx, Mary South (Darien
South's mother) and Darien South review Foxx's bill at the Legislative
Building in 
Raleigh.

In January 2003, Darien South had just finished putting out the visible
flames when he realized fire was still burning beneath the floor. He opened
an access door and was greeted with a harsh blast of chemical gases. His
eyes burned and he began to cough up blood. He then collapsed.

While in the ambulance, South suffered major respiratory failure. He spent
nearly a week in the hospital, with the majority of his time in the
intensive care unit.

Nearly a year and half later, South is still suffering the repercussions of
his traumatic experience. The 31-year-old has excruciating headaches and
difficulty breathing. His lung capacity has dropped to 60 percent and his
wife says he sounds like an elderly emphysema patient.

Because of his injuries, South was unable to keep his day job as a soft
drink deliveryman. He struggles while trying to play with his children and
is forced to rely on his parents for help around the house.

Doctors are not able to determine if South's health will ever improve.

"What has happened to Darien and countless other law enforcement officials
is reprehensible," said Foxx. "Here we have a man whose life dream was to
serve his community as a firefighter. Now he won't be able to continue to
fulfill his duties. Nor will he be able to lead the happy and healthy life
he deserves."

She continued, "Under the pre-existing laws, the criminal who is responsible
for Darien's injuries will serve only two years in jail. Yet this will
burden Darien for the rest of his life. Where is the justice in that?"

Foxx has made it a personal mission to declare war on meth offenders.
Earlier this week, she co-sponsored a bill to increase criminal penalties
for those who distribute, manufacture and possess methamphetamine.

"I look forward to continuing to work with law enforcement to see that
justice is served," she said. "Northwestern North Carolina will no longer be
a 'safe haven' for meth offenders." 
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