Pubdate: Fri, 11 Aug 2006
Source: Chicago Sun-Times (IL)
Copyright: 2006 The Sun-Times Co.
Contact:  http://www.suntimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/81
Author: Shamus Toomey, Staff Reporter
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/heroin.htm (Heroin)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

DEA'S MUSEUM EXHIBIT SHOWS DANGERS OF DRUGS

After visiting the Museum of Science and Industry's famous coal mine 
and submarine, patrons might want to check out its new crack den and meth lab.

The Hyde Park museum opens a new exhibit today that highlights the 
perils of drug abuse and the drug trade, including life-size 
re-creations of drug lairs and labs.

"Target America: Opening Eyes to the Damage Drugs Cause" is a 
traveling exhibit created by the Drug Enforcement Administration 
Museum. It gives historical and modern-day look at drugs such as 
opium, cocaine, marijuana and methamphetamine.

The exhibit, which comes with a warning about bringing young 
children, includes photos of cops and federal agents killed in the 
drug war, as well as pictures of teens, adults and even rock stars 
felled by drug abuse.

'Facts aren't on their side'

"Think of this exhibit as one-stop shock therapy," said DEA 
Administrator Karen P. Tandy, in town to open the exhibit. "The 
message of this exhibit is: If you think you're not affected or 
endangered by drugs, think again."

The exhibit has already been shown in several cities, most recently 
Detroit. It has drawn criticism from some groups that say it's more 
DEA publicity than education and that it ignores the argument that 
criminalizing drugs creates the lucrative, underground trade that 
ends up financing terrorism.

Tandy discounted the criticism. "I think it's hard for these groups 
because the facts aren't on their side. That's all they can say."

The exhibit, in a two-level temporary hall on the west side of the 
museum, has a special section dedicated to drugs in Chicago over the 
years. That section will eventually wind up on display at Navy Pier.

The exhibit also devotes a great deal of space to the foreign drug 
trade and ties to terror. There's a seized Taliban flag, a giant 
photo of Osama bin Laden, a re-created Afghan heroin processing lab 
and a South American cocaine lab complete with mosquito netting and 
assault rifles.

Mayor seems jarred

The crack den -- labeled a "tenement apartment" -- is a small room 
strewn with empty crack vials and cigarette butts. There's also a 
bassinet, a dirty diaper, a shotgun and piped-in sounds of sirens and 
barking dogs.

As Mayor Daley toured the exhibit Thursday, he seemed jarred, 
including by the meth lab. It's in a simulated hotel room, and it 
shows how an unsuspecting hotel guest can be just inches away from an 
explosive meth lab.

Chicago Police Supt. Phil Cline, who also took a tour, called it "a 
powerful exhibit that will enlighten and fascinate so many people."

It will remain at the museum through Dec. 3. There is no extra fee to see it.

[Sidebar]

No ordinary SUV -- it's on lookout for dealers

As you look at one part of the new drug exhibit, it will also be 
looking at you.

At the Museum of Science and Industry, the Drug Enforcement 
Administration is displaying a special tricked-out Toyota Scion 
designed to be left on street corners to snoop on drug dealers.

The boxy SUV has multiple hidden cameras, including a 360-degree lens 
secretly disguised as the rear stereo amplifier. It also has several 
microphones hidden in its body that, with a court order, can 
eavesdrop on bad guys.

The display also includes a hidden camera that museum-goers can 
operate from across the building.

Timothy J. Ogden, assistant special agent in charge of the DEA's 
Chicago office, said police and federal agents in Chicago don't use a 
Scion -- but they use other cars with the same technology.

"We made sure none of our local law enforcement partners have that 
particular type of model in service," Ogden said.

Drug dealers know authorities have secret surveillance methods, he 
said, so showing them off was decided to be OK.

"Are the gang-bangers going to come here and look at our display? 
Probably not," he said. "And if we can save some lives and turn some 
kids to walk the straight and narrow, it's a risk we can live with."
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman