Pubdate: Wed, 05 Jan 2005
Source: South Whidbey Record (WA)
Copyright: 2005 South Whidbey Record
Contact:  http://www.southwhidbeyrecord.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2515
Author: Gayle Saran
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

SHERIFF HAS NO TIME FOR NEW METH PROTOCOL

Citing an increase in 911 calls and claiming to have too few deputies
to respond to them, Sheriff Mike Hawley has refused to sign onto a
volunteer-generated plan for removing children from homes where
methamphetamines are being produced.

A memorandum developed by the Island County Meth Action Team, which
directs law enforcement in the care of these children, asks for more
than deputies and police officers can do in the time they have, Hawley
asserted this week. While he lauded the group -- which includes
representatives from other county and state agencies -- for the work
that went into the proposed Drug Endangered Child Protocol, he says
his office doesn't have the manpower to participate in the effort.

"I think it is an excellent strategy... and I assure you that the plan
will be adhered to in spirit by my agency, but unfortunately I cannot
in good conscience sign the protocol," he said.

Hawley said the protocol is labor intensive and would put too much
demand on his shrinking force.

Hawley hand-delivered a memo Thursday to The South Whidbey Record and
the Meth Action Team members detailing his reasons for not signing
on.

While he is not signing onto the action team's protocol, Hawley said
his office is always aggressive in keeping children safe in all
circumstances and works closely with Child Protective Services when
children are involved at crime scenes.

To date, deputies have not responded to an active meth lab where
children are present.

But Hawley said he cannot in good conscience sign the
protocol.

"Making such a commitment while knowing full well that we do not have
the resources to follow through would be dishonest," he said. "Over
the last decade, my office has experienced a quantum increase in the
demands being placed on it. Calls for service have doubled and public
expectations of service have swelled as have the complexity and
diversity of their problems."

Hawley said at the same time the resources to deal with these
challenges have shrunk to dangerous levels.

Holly Jones, chair of the Meth Action Team said Hawley's decision is
"disappointing, but understandable."

"He knows the reality of his office and the inordinate number of 911
calls his deputies must respond to," she said. "Sheriff Hawley knows
he may not have the staff to follow through."

Jones said she is not going to view Hawley's statement as a defeat
because he supports the spirit of her group's memorandum. But it is
significant, she said, because children may or may not be served.

"It's (the protocol) is about supporting children whose lives are
endangered from proximity to working meth labs."

Protocol details

Some of the specific procedures outlined in the memorandum include
taking children who have been exposed to methamphetamine labs into
protective custody, then transferring them to Child Protective
Services. Law enforcement is also asked to decontaminate a child and
or his or her clothing, collect urine samples from the children within
four hours of assuming protective custody and notify narcotic
detectives to examine scene for evidence of the presence of children.
Some other time-consuming procedures include taking measurements
comparing height and reach of the child in relation to the location of
the lab items or equipment, document and video or photograph the scene
giving particular attention to the children's accessibility to drugs
or chemicals, proximity to play and sleeping areas, and indications of
neglect.

The memorandum offers guidelines for multiple agencies including the
Island County Prosecutor, other local law enforcement agencies,
Whidbey General, Naval Hospital in Oak Harbor and Washington State
Department of Social and Health Services. Jones said the Meth Action
Team worked nine months on creating the meth protocol. She said she
expects the others involved to sign the 10-page document.

Jones said the model for the document was taken from similar examples
produced in other Washington state counties.

"I feel very strongly the protocol is a good strategic plan... we
worked hard to get everyone on board," Jones said The process offered
an opportunity to bring people to the table and establish working
relationships. It was educational for all involved," she said.

The meth action team formed 2 1/2 years ago and is funded by a $4,000
grant. It falls under the umbrella of the South Whidbey Youth
Connections, which is responsible for applying for and receiving the
grant. The Seeds of Change drug free coalition also is run through the
youth center. It is entering its fifth and final year of a federal
drug-free communities grant funding. This year, Jones, who is the
Seeds of Change's only employee, said the program will receive about
$73,000 from the grants.
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin