Pubdate: Tue, 27 Jun 2006
Source: Morning Sentinel (IL)
Website: http://www.morningsentinel.com
Address: P.O. Box 627, Centralia, IL, 62801
Fax: 618-532-1212
Copyright: 2006 Morning Sentinel
Author: Tesa Culli, Mt. Vernon Managing Editor
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

FORUM HOPES TO RAISE METH AWARENESS

MT. VERNON - Although methamphetamine usage is still a problem for 
the area, the number of labs and arrests related to the drug is down 
drastically, according to area law enforcers.

"The meth cases we're getting are lower," Mt. Vernon Police Chief 
Chris Mendenall said. "I attribute it to the law changes, but it 
could be even better. I believe that the ingredients that are used to 
make meth in cough medicines should only be available by 
prescription. That would really change things."

Salem Police Chief Ron Campo said in addition to recent changes in 
the laws in Illinois, his force uses the side-effects of the drug to 
force users out of the area.

"Our numbers [of cases] are sharply down," Campo said. "I think our 
aggressive approach has knocked them out of the area. I say let their 
paranoia work for you. ... If they think the police are going to come 
down the chimney to arrest them, I say park a squad car in their 
front drive and make them really wonder. ... We just have to change 
tactics as needed."

State Rep. Kurt Granberg, D-Carlyle, hosted the district-wide 
methamphetamine awareness seminar in Mt. Vernon Monday night.

"I'm trying to increase awareness of the issue," Granberg said. "This 
has really become a plague for our people. It's highly addictive and 
makes people dysfunctional."

Granberg said in addition to laws to make the penalties for meth use, 
manufacture and endangering other people that have recently been 
toughened, the new meth registry is a step in the right direction for 
fighting meth.

"We need to work with other states and coordinate our activities," 
Granberg said. "That way, when they move out of one area, we can 
continue to track them."

The registry is for those who have been convicted in Illinois of 
making meth or possession of methamphetamine precursors, such as 
Sudafed tablets, with the intent to manufacture meth. The information 
includes their name, date of birth, offense or offenses, the 
conviction date and county of each offense as well as any other 
identifying information deemed necessary by the Illinois State Police.

Granberg said he hopes the state can work with Missouri and Indiana 
to track offenders through the database. In addition to the registry, 
Granberg said he believes the recent law to move over-the-counter 
medicines containing pseudoephedrine - a meth ingredient - to 
restricted areas and limiting the amount a consumer can purchase have 
also made a big difference in the fight against meth.

"The pharmaceutical companies were against it at first," Granberg 
said. "They changed their minds after they saw how much of a 
difference it has made."

According to Jefferson County Sheriff Roger Mulch, the joint Mt. 
Vernon Jefferson County Narcotics Unit and deputies on patrol were 
called to 104 meth lab reports last year.

"That's not all the reports," Mulch explained. "That was just all the 
reports we were able to prove that involved known meth labs. This 
year, we've had less than 10."

Mulch said he believes the difference is due to a combination of 
legislation and patrols.

"I hope, well, I'd like to be able to say they know we're serious 
about fighting meth and they have moved out of the area. We were all 
ramped up for the warm weather when the activity spikes. It just 
hasn't happened yet."

Master Sgt. Bill Sons with the Southeastern Illinois Drug Task Force 
told those attending that since its inception last year, the force 
has cleaned up and processed more than 240 labs in the area.

Sons told the crowd that some of the signs people should look for 
that indicate meth activity include a lot of traffic around a house, 
burning trash or stockpiling garbage, covered windows and exhaust 
fans in windows, surveillance cameras around a residence and baby 
monitors outside.

Also speaking during the seminar were Tom McNamara of the Southern 
Illinois Enforcement Group, Sharon Fradelos with Jefferson County 
Comprehensive Services, Wendy Bailie of Franklin-Williamson Human 
Services and 2nd Judicial Circuit Chief Judge George Timberlake.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman