Pubdate: Sat, 15 Jun 2013
Source: Daily Press, The (Escanaba, MI)
Copyright: 2013 The Daily Press
Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/32q45vxx
Website: http://www.dailypress.net/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3443
Author: Jenny Lancour

UPSET Report

DRUG PROBLEMS ON THE RISE IN U.P.

ESCANABA - Illegal drug problems are on the rise in the Upper 
Peninsula due in large part to increased availability of medications, 
easier ways to make narcotics, and more people being issued medical 
marijuana cards.

That was the message from Ron Koski, team leader of the U.P. 
Substance Enforcement Team (UPSET), who addressed a group of 
community leaders at a monthly governmental meeting in Escanaba this week.

The UPSET narcotics team is made up of state, county and city police 
from Delta, Marquette and Menominee counties. Federal agents also 
represent the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Bureau of 
Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

UPSET conducts undercover drug and firearm investigations throughout 
the year and also provides support to other agencies by doing 
surveillance and making arrests, said Koski. The agency covers the 12 
counties west of Manistique and Munising.

Last year, UPSET investigated 240 complaints, including 54 from Delta 
County. This represents 23 percent of the agency's caseload in 2012, he said.

Regarding arrests made last year, UPSET nabbed 150 individuals in its 
coverage area, including 12 people in Delta County, representing 8 
percent of the agency's total arrests in 2012, Koski said.

So far this year, 26 of UPSET's 98 complaints were from Delta County, 
representing 27 percent of the cases. Fifteen arrests, or 16 percent, 
of the agency's 95 arrests this year have been from Delta County. 
Four arrest warrants are currently being reviewed by the prosecutor's 
office, added Koski.

"A problem in all the counties is prescription pills," Koski said, 
citing specific drug trends throughout the region.

Drug abusers obtain pills by buying them off the street, stealing 
from friends and relatives, breaking into homes, and "doctor 
shopping" for multiple prescriptions, he explained.

Methamphetamine, or "meth," is the most common illegal drug issue in 
Delta County. The largest meth problems have been seen in Marquette, 
Baraga and Gogebic counties, he said.

Meth has become more prevalent in the region because it is cheap and 
easy to make, said Koski, explaining the illegal drug is made of five 
common ingredients which can be easily purchased. Previously, meth 
took eight hours to manufacture; now it can be concocted in one 
bottle in 45 minutes, he said.

Meth labs are on the rise and also pose a threat to public safety and 
the environment, said Koski. The manufacturing process can be 
explosive and cause severe burns. More babies are being born with 
meth addictions. Meth labs create hazardous wastes which are often 
dumped in the woods.

So far this year, 21 meth labs have been found in UPSET's coverage 
area. Last year, 45 labs were found compared to 21 labs in 2011 and 
seven in 2010. Statewide, 800 meth labs were found in 2012.

Other drug trends in the region include a huge heroin problem in 
Menominee and Dickinson counties with the drug coming in through 
Menominee, said Koski. Marquette County also has a heroin problem 
with the drug coming from downstate.

Bath salts are a growing concern in the U.P., where major busts have 
been made in Baraga and Ontonagon counties, he said. Use of synthetic 
drugs such as K-2 Spice is also occurring in the region. Cocaine use 
continues as well, he added.

Medical marijuana use and illegal pot use are problems in every 
county UPSET works in, said Koski. A total of 178,000 people in 
Michigan have medical marijuana cards and that number is increasing 
each year, he said.

Patients prescribed a medical marijuana card can grow up to 12 pot 
plants. Caregivers can grow a dozen plants for up to five patients 
each, as well as 12 plants for themselves if they have a medical 
marijuana card, for a total of 72 plants, explained Koski.

The medical marijuana law has created issues for law enforcement 
during investigations. Since the state will not disclose names of 
medical marijuana card holders due to HYPA laws, police cannot 
determine illegal grows from legal grows until search warrants are 
executed, arrests are made, and resources are spent, he said.

According to Delta County Prosecutor Steve Parks, a medical marijuana 
cardholder with THC (the by-product of smoking pot) in his or her 
system can be prosecuted if there is evidence of impaired driving. On 
the other hand, it is illegal for anyone without a medical pot card 
to have THC in their body at any time.

UPSET has been in operation since 1988. In addition to enforcing the 
law, the agency conducts educational presentations for schools, 
community groups and governmental agencies. UPSET can be reached at 
1-800-882-8202.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom