Pubdate: Mon, 09 Jan 2006
Source: Sampson Independent, The (NC)
Copyright: 2006, The Sampson Independent
Contact:  http://www.clintonnc.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1704
Author: Chris Berendt, staff writer
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

CITIZENS TAKING `PROACTIVE APPROACH' IN METH LAB BATTLE

The number of confirmed methamphetamine labs found in Sampson County
during 2005 was nearly double the amount discovered in the county in
the previous three years combined, according to Sampson County
Sheriff's authorities. The 11 confirmed labs in Sampson was tied for
seventh most in the state and was the highest of any county in North
Carolina east of Watauga County, statistics collected by the N.C.
State Bureau of Investigation show.

"In one year we almost doubled what we had in three years," said
Sampson County Sheriff Jimmy Thornton. He said that there were two
confirmed meth labs found each year from 2002 to 2004.

Thornton credited increased knowledge by the citizens of Sampson in
providing tips to law enforcement and the subsequent response by
sheriff's authorities in finding and disposing of the meth labs, which
pose a deadly threat to those around them.

Meth labs contain toxic chemicals and are subject to noxious
explosions because of the corrosive and flammable ingredients used to
manufacture the drug.

The sheriff said that it is hard to say whether the number of labs has
increased dramatically in Sampson, but awareness by both law
enforcement and the general public in identifying them definitely has.

"A lot of these wouldn't have been found in the public wasn't aware,"
said Sheriff's Chief Deputy John Conerly.

Thornton said that the people of Sampson County have taken a
"proactive approach" in combatting the manufacture and use of
methamphetamine and the Sampson County Methamphetamine Task Force has
spearheaded that fight.

The task force, made up of various members of the community, including
law enforcement, education and health officials, has aimed to increase
public awareness of meth and its highly addictive nature, and give
citizens tips for recognizing possible labs.

"It made people aware of what to look for and helped us in getting
those calls," said Thornton.

To go along with the increase in labs, meth-related arrests made by
sheriff's authorities in 2005 more than doubled over the total for
2004.

There were 47 meth-related arrests made by Sampson County Sheriff's
authorities during 2005, according to the Sheriff's Special
Investigation Division's special agent in charge. In September and
October, meth arrests made up the total number of arrests by SID, he
said.

"For two months straight, that's all we did was meth arrests,
according to our stats."

The meth arrests came in a variety of different circumstances,
including in the wake of found meth labs, following routine traffic
stops or from tips by residents in the community.

The special agent in charge estimated that the arrests in 2005 were
about a 60 percent increase over those in 2004.

Acting to further assist the Sheriff's Office in identifying meth labs
and getting them dismantled will be an upcoming 32-hour training
course, offered through Sampson Community College.

There are two agents currently certified trained and the five
remaining agents will take part in the training course to gain
certification.

That certification allows SID special agents responding to locations
"to go in and assess for possible labs," said the special agent in
charge. "It will help us tremendously," he said. "It will enhance our
investigation."

Thornton said that having the entire unit with the certification will
"shorten the process" of identifying and dismantling a meth lab, which
can take days.

"We're lucky and fortunate that we're going to have our entire unit
trained next week," the sheriff said. "All of this plays into our
success in the number of labs found."

"As each year has gone by, we've gotten better and better with dealing
with it," continued Thornton. And the certification course will only
act to build on that knowledge and aid in the disposal of meth labs
that threaten harm to the community, he said.

However, without the citizens of Sampson County, members of law
enforcement cannot do their jobs to the best of their ability, the
sheriff said.

Thornton said that citizens are vital to the Sheriff's Office, which
depends on them being cognizant of their surroundings and calling the
authorities if they see anything suspicious.

The sheriff said that he believes many in the community have found a
"comfort zone" in sharing information with the Sheriff's Office, but
that many who see suspicious activity still hesitate to call the
authorities.

"There's still a lot of reluctance," said the sheriff, adding that the
caller will always remain anonymous. "It takes a lot of courage."

And every minute is precious, Thornton said.

"Those calls are very important."

For more information on methamphetamine, including signs and effects
of the drug's use, tips to recognizing meth labs, information on where
users can go to get help and links to other online resources, visit
the Sampson County Meth Task Force web site at http://www.methdeath.org.
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin