Pubdate: Fri, 22 Feb 2008
Source: Aspen Times (CO)
Copyright: 2008 Aspen Times
Contact:  http://www.aspentimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3784
Author: Phillip Yates

METH TOPS COCAINE IN GARFIELD COUNTY

Task Force Aims To Intervene Before Meth Use Leads To Crime

GLENWOOD SPRINGS - A preliminary study into Garfield  County felony
drug cases over four years shows that the  number of methamphetamine
cases has topped the number  of cocaine cases -- previously the most
prosecuted drug  in the county.

The ongoing study, conducted by the Western Colorado  Methamphetamine
Research Center at Mesa State College,  has looked at cases from 2003
to 2007 and found that  methamphetamine has become the most prosecuted
drug in  the county.

At least 115 meth cases have been prosecuted in that  time frame,
according to the study.

The methamphetamine figure made up 47 percent of the  244 cases the
study looked at. Cocaine was the  second-most-prosecuted drug, with
108 cases or 44  percent of the total. Marijuana made up at least 18
percent of the cases.

Of the 115 meth prosecutions, 31 percent of the  defendants were
women, according to the study.

"Cocaine was the predominant controlled substance in  the county,"
said Jeff Cheney,

chairman of the Garfield County Meth Task Force  executive committee
and assistant district attorney  with the 9th Judicial District. "Meth
has surpassed  it."

Cheney presented the study, along with updates about  the Garfield
County Meth Task Force, to the Garfield  County commissioners on
Tuesday. He said the study was  intended to show that "meth is a
problem in the  county," Cheney said.

The county's meth task force was formed in November  2006, based on a
similar model in Mesa County.

"We have left the runway and we are trying to get  airborne," Cheney
told commissioners.

County commissioners on Tuesday awarded a $25,000  contract to
Community Health Initiatives, which will  administer the funds for the
task force. Cheney said  members are looking to use most of that money
for  "needs-based" treatment and to prevent potential users  from
"reaching out to the community by committing  crime."

"If we can get to these people before they get to the  criminal
justice system, we can save the taxpayers  money," Cheney said.

Other money from the contract is expected go toward law  enforcement
to stem the flow of meth, Cheney said.

The task force has divided into several subcommittees,  touching on
subjects including drug-endangered  children, treatment, public
safety, and prevention and  public awareness. An executive committee
oversees them  all.

"The meth task force is looking for people of the  community to
participate. It is not solely law  enforcement," said Cheney, who
added people can call  the district attorney's office for more
information or  to participate. "It is not solely the treatment
community. It is a community-focused group. We want  members of the
community involved."

Commissioner Tresi Houpt told Cheney to "keep up the  battle and let's
educate" people about the dangers of  meth in the county.

"We are really proud of you," Commissioner John Martin  told Cheney
and others associated with the task force.  "Thank you for stepping up
and doing this."
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MAP posted-by: Derek