Pubdate: Fri, 09 Jun 2006
Source: Beacon News, The (IL)
Copyright: 2005 Digital Chicago & Hollinger International Inc
Contact:  http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/beaconnews/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3800
Author: Matt Hanley, Staff Writer
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

KENDALL IS OUT TO TAKE AIM AT METH

Pushing Awareness: County Wants To Nip Drug Scourge Before It Can Get 
A Foothold

YORKVILLE -- When anecdotal reports about methamphetamine use started 
showing up in Kendall County, Janet Stutz was among the people who 
wanted to find out more information.

With a group of local legislators and law-enforcement officials, 
Stutz, the principal at Bednarcik Junior High in the Oswego School 
District, organized meetings to educate themselves about the highly 
addictive stimulant which often is manufactured in dangerous home laboratories.

At those meetings, Stutz was stunned to see a map of where meth labs 
were being uncovered. Usually thought of as a downstate, rural 
phenomenon, the map was a beeline toward Kendall County.

"We're right in the path, but it hasn't quite got here yet," Stutz 
said. "We need to be prepared."

June 19, the Kendall County Network Project will hold the first 
Methamphetamine Task Force meeting at the Kendall County Historic 
Courthouse, 109 West Ridge St. According to Stutz, the meeting will 
focus on ways to detect meth production or abuse by organizing a 
countywide education campaign.

"It's a real serious issue," she said. "It's a drug that's going to 
cost a lot of money to clean up."

So far, the county has not seen many meth possession cases but the 
drug's effects have shown up in the court system. Kendall County 
State's Attorney Melissa Barnhart said she watches people come in 
charged with burglary or vandalism whose bodies are wearing away at 
each appearance.

"You see the aftermath of it," Barnhart said.

The Kendall County task force will focus on educating the public 
about the signs and dangers of illegal meth production. Anyone who 
lives or works in the county is invited to participate. Those 
interested should contact Ann Kodat at (630) 553-4166. 
Pre-registration is requested but not required.

Meth has become a growing problem in Illinois. In 1997, police raided 
24 meth labs; by 2005, police had shut down 973, according to state records.

The state legislature has acknowledged the problem, passing 
legislation that creates a log to track people buying cold medicine 
containing meth ingredients in Illinois.

Sunday, Gov. Rod Blagojevich signed a law authorizing the creation of 
an online list of methamphetamine makers which will include the 
person's age, offense, conviction date and the county where the drug 
arrest was made.

"Methamphetamine is one of the most addictive and dangerous drugs on 
the streets," Blagojevich said in a statement. "We need to do 
everything possible to put a stop to the scourge of meth."
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman