METH USE GROWING LOCALLY

"These are the stills of the 21st century."

But in saying that, Det. James Schrimpsher of the Phelps County Sheriff's
Department knows that what is being "cooked" is much more dangerous than a
couple of jugs of home brew. It's methamphetamine.

The ingredients are deadly, with items such as lye, starter fluid, paint
thinner, batteries and cold medicine found in a typical household.

What results is a chemical process in makeshift, illegal labs by untrained
individuals with no protective equipment.

Combining the ingredients is not only extremely dangerous, but it is also
hazardous to the environment.

But ask a meth user about the dangers, and it's likely that they never
really knew what was in it when they first got hooked.

That is what happened to "Alan," who at age 38 has been on meth for more
than 20 years and is currently incarcerated in the Phelps County Jail.

"If I had known what was in it, I never would have gotten on it," he said.
"I couldn't believe the ingredients. The smell of the anhydrous ammonia was
awful."

It does him little good to feel regret now; he's headed to the federal
penitentiary for probation violation. Alan points to his meth use as the
reason he has no money, no wife or children. It's also the reason he will
be spending several birthdays and holidays behind bars.

"I won't ever kick it, because it will always be there. You have to want to
quit," he said. "In here (jail), you can't get it. I feel good about myself
in here, but once I get out there on the streets, it is a different story."

For local law enforcement officers, the threat of meth labs and subsequent
use is high given the remoteness of some areas in the county, as well as
the vastness of the Mark Twain National Forest.

"Meth is in Phelps County," Schrimpsher said. "It is very prevalent and is
a little bit more serious than making alcohol. It's bad all the way around
with people freaking out and shooting at us."