METH MADNESS

Meeting Underscores Seriousness Of Problem

The Conway Regional Drug Task Force has raided more methamphetamine labs so
far this year than it did all of last year. At 43, that's also nearly twice
as many labs as were closed down just three years ago. These were just a
few of the facts learned by the three dozen attendees of the first meth
awareness town meeting held Monday at the University of Central Arkansas.
The next meeting will be tonight at Greenbrier City Hall. "We refuse to
stick our heads in the sand and say it's not here. Meth is here," Sheriff
Marty Montgomery said. The meeting was coordinated by the Faulkner County
Sheriff's Office and state Sen Gilbert Baker. "Methamphetamine is literally
taking over. In my jail I had 203 prisoners this morning ... a large
portion are there because of meth," Montgomery said. The problem was echoed
by Joey Potratz, drug prevention coordinator for the Arkansas Sheriffs'
Association.

"We have a drug problem and that drug problem is leading to jail
overcrowding," Potratz said. "Agencies have taken a stand and become more
proactive which results in more arrests."

Potratz went on to ask attendees to learn the warning signs of drug
activity because law enforcement officials need their help. "You can either
call law enforcement or do nothing and wait until your whole block blows up
or every kid in your neighborhood is on meth," he said.

In giving signs to look for, Potratz said meth, which is a highly addictive
central-nervous system stimulant, causes users to become very paranoid,
nervous, not eat or sleep some times for days, have mood swings and an
increase in energy.

Users will also steal from anyone to get the money to make or purchase more
drugs, Potratz said. "It doesn't matter if you are their mother or father
of if they are your mother or father, they are going to get the drug. And
it's not because they are bad people, it's because they are addicted to a
monster." In long-term meth users, incredible depression when not high,
hives intensified by constant scratching, rotten teeth and poor hygiene are
also identifiable, Potratz said.

This information intrigued one lady in the room who works with juvenile
delinquents. She said she had seen other signs of possible meth use in a
student, then the student came in with a red hive-like rash. The child's
parent convinced her it was a reaction to medicine so she did not have the
student tested. In hind sight, she said she should have had him tested.
Potratz told of some of the ingredients used to make meth. Lt. Bob Berry
and two investigators from the drug task force brought items to show just
what a lab is and isn't.

"That black bag contains a meth lab," Berry said pointing to a small duffle
bag. "People think of a chemistry set when you say 'meth lab' but that's
not what it is."

As plastic and glass containers and bottles of gasoline additives, drain
cleaner, salt and cold medicine were displayed on the counter, the
investigators passed around a sandwich baggy less than a quarter full of a
yellowish course powder. The substance was a simulated meth substance
complete with the smell of meth. A bag of that amount of meth could bring a
dealer more than $2,000, according to one investigator. "The problem is,
they use their own product. They are their own best customer," he said. "If
you see anything like this, please call us." As for why a person would
smoke, swallow, shoot up or otherwise put into their body a drug so
dangerous that the manufacturing of one pound creates five pounds of
hazardous waste is simple: The high is so good the person can't stand the
low created as it wears off, according to the officials at the meeting.

Meth stimulates chemicals naturally found in the body that create feelings
of joy and happiness. The more meth is used, the more it takes to get the
high and the more important it is to the user to get it, Potratz said. That
is why Montgomery, Berry and other officers are urging residents to learn
all they can to help them stop the epidemic. People in Faulkner County can
leave confidential information about suspected drug activity by calling
450-6135. The Drug Enforcement Agency can by reached at 501-324-5981.
Tonight's meeting in Greenbrier will start at 7 o'clock. Vilonia will hold
a town meeting from 7 to 9 p.m. Monday, July 23, at the Vilonia High School
and the final meeting will be from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, July 26, at the
Mayflower High School.

For more information on the meetings, contact Sheriff's Office Public
Information Officer Jack Pike at 450-4914.