POLICE BACK TOUGHER METH LAWS

Mid-Michigan police and prosecutors support a proposed state law aimed at
curbing the spread of methamphetamine labs and use of the highly addictive
stimulant.

If the multibill package passes, it will put meth offenders who deliver,
possess or manufacture the drug on the same criminal level as cocaine and
heroin offenders.

The bills, introduced Thursday by Sen. Patty Birkholz, R-Saugatuck Township,
have been referred to a legislative committee for review in the fall.
Lawmakers hope the proposed law will take effect by spring.

"This has become the cocaine of the (21st) century," Birkholz said of meth,
which has spread across Ingham, Eaton and Clinton counties. "It's moving ...
What we want to do is stop it in its tracks."

Statewide, 206 labs were seized in 2002, nearly twice as many as in 2001. In
the first five months of this year, authorities busted 104 labs and estimate
that more than 275 labs could be seized before year's end, the Michigan
State Police said.

Under the proposed law, a meth offender could face up to life in prison if
caught with 1,000 grams of the drug - the same penalty for possessing 1,000
grams of cocaine or heroin. Currently, those convicted of possessing any
amount of meth face up to 10 years in prison.

Laws not enough

Some say tougher penalties alone won't stop the meth problems.

"It hasn't worked in the past 30 years," said Kathy Kennedy of Onondaga, a
member of the National Organization of Reforming Marijuana Laws. "They keep
passing these laws and the problem increases - it never decreases."

There's too much profit in meth, and it's too easy to make and move, Kennedy
said, adding that state legislators and the public needs to be more
educated.

"They need to start from square one and study substance abuse," she said.

The law also would address an ongoing problem facing farmers: theft of
anhydrous ammonia - a nitrogen product typically used for growing corn.

For meth users it's a key component in the concoction of toxic household
materials used to make the drug. A thermos-size amount would be enough to
make a batch of the drug. If meth users can't get the farming chemical they
use red phosphorus, derived from matchbox striking strips.

Right now, there is no specific statute for punishing possession of the
anhydrous ammonia, Eaton County Assistant Prosecutor Douglas Lloyd said.

Under the proposal, illegal transport or possession of anhydrous ammonia
would be a five-year felony.

Meth is a powdery white or brown drug that can be smoked, snorted, injected
or eaten. It costs $100 per gram, about the same as cocaine.

The drug, also known as crank, ice or crystal, creates a longer high than
cocaine or heroin, lasting up to 18 hours.

'A major cancer'

"The problem with this drug is you have the ability to make it in your house
and all the things you need to make it are in your local grocery store,"
Lloyd said.

Lloyd, who prosecutes Eaton County's drug cases, said he deals with one meth
complaint a week.

"This has become a major cancer and it's spreading," he said.

Police found a few people making the highly addictive stimulant in southwest
Michigan in 2000. Since then, meth has spread through mid-Michigan and is
heading north and east.

Police have shut down at least eight labs in Ingham County in the past two
years, sheriff's Sgt. Ken Freeman said.

"We're figuring out who the players are and that's helping."

In Eaton County, police have uncovered 10 labs since 2001, Sheriff Rick
Jones said. Allegan County - located two counties west of Eaton - has had
more than 50, he said.

Jones supports the legislation.

"It's a growing menace and we'll do everything we can to combat it," he
said.

One of the largest labs in the state was found in June 2001 at Scott Lee
Tupper's home on the outskirts of Grand Ledge. Because he was a habitual
offender, he is serving eight to 30 years in prison.

"The cases seem to be coming east," Eaton County Prosecutor Jeffrey Sauter
said, "so Eaton County's number of meth cases has risen probably faster than
the counties to the east of us."