Pubdate: Mon, 22 Jan 2007
Source: Burlington Free Press (VT)
Copyright: 2007 Burlington Free Press
Contact: http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/letters.shtml
Website: http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/632
Author: Adam Silverman
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

PROSECUTORS: METH BOUND FOR BURLINGTON

Vermont's two leading prosecutors are of one mind in predicting the 
next challenge for local law enforcement: methamphetamine.

T.J. Donovan, the new Chittenden County state's attorney, and U.S. 
Attorney Tom Anderson said last week that meth has been spreading 
east across the country and is beginning to make inroads in Vermont.

"Very soon we're going to see methamphetamine in Chittenden County, 
and we have to be prepared," Donovan said. "It's not a question of 
if; it's a question of when."

Added Anderson, "That scourge will make the heroin scourge look like 
child's play."

The lawyers agreed their offices must be aggressive in prosecuting 
drug dealers and obtaining lengthy prison sentences to deter the 
problem from spreading.

"We need to make sure we send the message that if you come here to 
sell drugs, you're going to jail," Donovan said. The community should 
begin planning now, before methamphetamine arrives, so a system is in 
place to address the many problems the drug can cause, he said.

Anderson and Donovan also have noticed that heroin -- the predominant 
drug threat in Vermont as recently as a few years ago -- is waning in 
the state, but crack cocaine is rising to take its place.

Nadeau hopes the new lead prosecutors will be receptive to concerns 
from law enforcement and the community, even if the topic is 
something as seemingly mundane as graffiti. Anderson and Donovan seem 
to be the type who will listen.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman