Crystal methamphetamine is dangerous to make and deadly to use, area law enforcement officials say. Even so, meth is still able to work its deadly magic and hold people of all ages and backgrounds in its icy grip, squeezing the life out of its victims. "It's easy to make and easy to get," said St. Clair County Sheriff's Investigator Cary Ward. "That's one of the reasons it has reached epidemic proportions in every county, not just Talladega and St. Clair." [continues 784 words]
ST. CLAIR COUNTY - Until recently, D.A.R.E. officers only worried about the battle against drug use among young people. Now they are faced with funding cuts and negative publicity. With all the bad press about D.A.R.E. and its alleged ineffectiveness, officers are hoping officials will pay more attention to positive results in their own communities. Several noted and published studies claim to have proven that the long- and short-term effect of the D.A.R.E. program is little to none. [continues 1011 words]
HOW BIG IS THE PROBLEM? St. Clair County Sheriff's Deputy Sgt. Roy Mullins and his K-9 partner, Barry, check and search cars for drugs at county high schools on a regular basis. Mullins said he feels crystal meth is the biggest threat to young people right now. (Kellie Long/The Daily Home) Every time police officers arrest a drug dealer, every time they raid a crystal meth lab, every time they seize a car, cash and dope shipment, they win another battle in the war against drugs. [continues 1217 words]
