Pubdate: Fri, 21 Jan 2005
Source: Dodge City Daily Globe (KS)
Copyright: 2005 The Dodge City Daily Globe
Contact:  http://www.dodgeglobe.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1473
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

METHAMPHETAMINE TOWN HALL MEETING PLANNED IN MEADE

Meade County Living

According to the National Drug Intelligence Center, "Methamphetamine is a 
principal drug threat to Kansas, primarily because of the drug's ready 
availability as well as the violence and environmental harm that often 
result from its production and abuse. The number of methamphetamine 
laboratories seized in Kansas has more than quadrupled and many law 
enforcement agencies report that they are witnessing an adverse 
environmental impact from the presence of methamphetamine laboratories."

The problem may only get worse as surrounding states enact tougher 
restrictions on the sale of ingredients that are needed to produce 
methamphetamine.

Recent legislation in Oklahoma restricting the sale of psuedoephedrine 
products may push production out of that state and into border counties of 
surrounding states. Psuedoephedrine is a key ingredient used to produce 
methamphetamine. Oklahoma law restricts the sale of Sudafed and other 
pseudoephedrine based products. Such products are now limited to sale by 
pharmacists and no longer remain on the shelves of convenience and variety 
stores.

The Border County Initiative is geared toward raising the awareness of 
retailers, law enforcement and citizens to the potential increase in the 
establishment of meth labs in counties near the Oklahoma border. Southwest 
Kansas Regional Prevention Center has scheduled a town hall meeting in 
Meade County on February 8 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Lakeway 
Hotel in Meade. This meeting will provide an opportunity for people to 
learn about methamphetamine and the problems caused by the production of 
use of the drug.

Lois Limes, director of Southwest Kansas Regional Prevention Center, will 
provide Meade County statistics on arrests and crimes related to 
methamphetamine use, the result of local student surveys of use and 
attitudes toward drug use and the environmental impact of meth lab waste 
and cleanup. She says that retailers attending the meeting will be given 
Meth Watch Kits, which include a training video and other tools to help in 
gaining the support of employees in preventing the theft or purchase of 
products and materials that could be used in the production of 
methamphetamine. Similar town hall meetings will also be held in other 
southwestern Kansas communities.

There is no charge for the meeting and lunch will be provided. Please 
contact Lois Limes by email  or call 620 276-9624 to 
RSVP. The last day to register is February 4.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jo-D