Pubdate: Fri, 23 Sep 2005
Source: Portales News-Tribune (NM)
Copyright: 2005 Portales News-Tribune
Contact:  http://www.pntonline.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3452
Author: Karl Terry: PNT Managing Editor
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

PORTALES RESIDENTS CAN HELP BATTLE METH EPIDEMIC

Methamphetamine is described by law enforcement as the biggest social 
crisis in America today. Thursday at the Portales Chamber of 
Commerce's quarterly luncheon, attendees learned more about the 
problem and a few easy ways to deter it in the community.

Capt. Lonnie Berry of the Portales Police Department described the 
social severity of the problem by asking the crowd to imagine a 
person being killed for a pack of cigarettes. He says that meth 
addicts can and have gotten just that far out of touch with reality.

Methamphetamine doesn't discriminate, but occurs in all parts of the 
city -- north, south, everywhere, said Ninth Judicial District 
Attorney Matt Chandler. "We've found it everywhere from crack houses 
to a preacher's house in this area."

Chandler told the group that methamphetamine was first refined from 
the ephedrine plant during World War II. Adolph Hitler wanted his 
chemists to come up with a drug to help his soldiers on the 
battlefield. Once his soldiers started using the drug they reacted 
without fear and needed little sleep or food.

"They were described like fighting zombies," said Chandler. "They 
were 10 feet tall and bulletproof. That's what law enforcement is 
dealing with today."

Chandler went on to detail the irrational behavior and lack of 
emotion displayed by several methamphetamine addicts convicted in New 
Mexico of violent crimes. From one man who decapitated his own son 
and tossed the head out along the highway because he thought the boy 
was possessed by demons to another who had to be shot seven times 
before he was incapacitated enough to deter his attack on a police officer.

Berry said he feels there are three pieces that go into solving the 
problem; law enforcement, mandatory sentencing and rehabilitation. Of 
those three facets he says the one we're doing the worst at is 
rehabilitation, quoting a success rate with meth addicts of just four 
percent nationwide.

"We've got to bring that percentage up," said Berry. "We've got to do 
a better job on rehab."

He told the group that while overdoses can occur with methamphetamine 
use, it is more common for users to instead suffer a slow 
debilitation over several years. He said meth addicts typically have 
sever dental problems and he even knows a local woman who had a 
stroke at age 23.

Berry said his department has made 65 total arrests in the last four 
and a half months and of that number he was able to link 58 of those 
cases either directly or indirectly with methamphetamine.

"That's a lot of meth out there, folks," said Berry. "There are a lot 
of people affected by that. It's not Mr. Chandler's problem, it's not 
law enforcement's problem. It's going to take the village."

With budgets getting tighter for law enforcement groups like the 
Region V Task Force, of which Berry's department is a member, he and 
Chandler are looking for creative ways to fight the problem.

Among those methods are a new ordinance recently passed by Portales 
City Council prohibiting sale of certain cold medicines with 
pseudoephedrine over the counter in stores. Discussion of that action 
drew several comments and questions from the crowd but no complaints 
from the business leaders on the restrictions.

Both law enforcement agencies have programs in the schools both for 
education as well as intervention in situations where children are 
either involved in making or taking methamphetamine or where they are 
in danger by being in a home where the drug is being made or used. 
"Seventy seven percent of children found in meth labs will test 
positive for meth," said Chandler. "And 33 percent of labs have 
children in them."

Chandler and Berry urged people to watch for signs of meth labs by 
noticing strong odors similar to ether or cat urine, watch trash 
receptacles for large numbers of antifreeze and containers that are 
unusual and to be aware of unusual activity at a neighboring 
residence or blacked-out windows.

Chandler's office has also produced a door-hanger informational piece 
that tells residents what to look for if you suspect a meth lab. It 
will be distributed in coming weeks by supervised participants in the 
Pre-prosecution Aversion Program.

"The bottom line is we need community help," said Chandler. "Meth has 
started in rural areas and slipped into the cities. But I'm telling 
you it has a death grip on our nation. It's the nucleus of all our crimes.

"If we can beat this problem you all are going to be a lot safer."
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MAP posted-by: Elizabeth Wehrman