Pubdate: Mon, 28 Nov 2005
Source: Ann Arbor News (MI)
Copyright: 2005 The Ann Arbor News
Contact:  http://www.mlive.com/aanews/index.ssf
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/20
Author: Bryn Mickle
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

METH SURGE SHOCKS CHIEF

Deadly Drug Gaining Favor In Rural Areas

MONTROSE - Dennis Smalley saw plenty of drugs when he worked as a 
police officer on the streets of Flint.

Crack, cocaine and marijuana - you name it.

But even he is unnerved by the increasing foothold that 
methamphetamine seems to be gaining in rural Genesee County.

"This other stuff is a whole new ballgame," said Smalley, the acting 
police chief in Montrose Township.

A toxic brew that is incredibly addictive and fairly easy to make, 
methamphetamine was uncommon in this area a few years ago.

No longer, police say.

Since September, two meth labs have been busted in Montrose and 
Montrose Township - a cause for concern for area police.

The volatile cooking process can be highly explosive and requires 
potentially deadly chemicals like ammonia and drain cleaner.

Police raids on such labs sometimes require officers to wear 
hazardous materials suits over their bullet-proof vests.

"If you breathe this stuff, it can kill you," said Smalley.

While cocaine and marijuana keep urban police departments busy, 
methamphetamine cooks seem to be drawn to more rural areas like Montrose.

Why? One reason, say police, is easier access to anhydrous ammonia - 
an ingredient that often must be stolen from farms or agricultural 
supply stores.

Lt. Gary Parsons of the state police, commander of the Flint Area 
Narcotics Group, said Montrose and other rural areas may also be 
attractive because they are quiet and have less police presence than 
larger communities.

"They set up shop and think they can get away with it," Parsons said.

In September, police found a meth lab in a mobile home park off 
Vienna Road in Montrose Township. This month, another lab was found 
in a home on E. Maple Street in Montrose.

Police don't believe there was any connection between the labs but 
said both were capable of making enough meth to suggest it was for 
more than just the cooks' personal use.

"It looks like (meth) is getting more prevalent," said Parsons, 
adding that another lab was busted in Mt. Morris Township this month.

On the plus side, said Parsons, police are getting more tips from 
people worried about suspected meth labs in their neighborhood.

"Nobody appreciates a meth lab sitting next to them," said Parsons.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman