Kicking the methamphetamine addiction can be a long road, as it is for police trying to control its spread, businesses and farmers who want to see chemicals used as intended and counselors who work with addicts.

Certified substance abuse counselor Bruce Vanderhoof of Choices West in Hart uses cognitive behavior therapy to counsel methamphetamine addicts. He noted that because methamphetamine distorts memory, the process takes longer and meth users are more difficult to work with.

"The addiction to methamphetamine is very overwhelming to them," Vanderhoof said. "Basically, it's the same treatment as cocaine. A lot of the problems we're having is the length of the treatment. It takes a longer period of time to get off methamphetamine."

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Oceana County was first introduced to methamphetamine labs in August 2002 when one was discovered in the Lake Tahoe area and later that month two men were arrested after attempting to "cook" some meth at the Bass Lake outlet north of Pentwater. Components from a third lab were found in Ferry Township in 2003.

Methamphetamine is made by stripping away unwanted ingredients in cold and sinus medicine to get to the ephedrine. Chemicals used include anhydrous ammonia, gas line antifreeze, and ether.

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