METH TOPS COCAINE IN GARFIELD COUNTY

Task Force Aims To Intervene Before Meth Use Leads To Crime

GLENWOOD SPRINGS - A preliminary study into Garfield County felony
drug cases over four years shows that the number of methamphetamine
cases has topped the number of cocaine cases -- previously the most
prosecuted drug in the county.

The ongoing study, conducted by the Western Colorado Methamphetamine
Research Center at Mesa State College, has looked at cases from 2003
to 2007 and found that methamphetamine has become the most prosecuted
drug in the county.

At least 115 meth cases have been prosecuted in that time frame,
according to the study.

The methamphetamine figure made up 47 percent of the 244 cases the
study looked at. Cocaine was the second-most-prosecuted drug, with
108 cases or 44 percent of the total. Marijuana made up at least 18
percent of the cases.

Of the 115 meth prosecutions, 31 percent of the defendants were
women, according to the study.

"Cocaine was the predominant controlled substance in the county,"
said Jeff Cheney,

chairman of the Garfield County Meth Task Force executive committee
and assistant district attorney with the 9th Judicial District. "Meth
has surpassed it."

Cheney presented the study, along with updates about the Garfield
County Meth Task Force, to the Garfield County commissioners on
Tuesday. He said the study was intended to show that "meth is a
problem in the county," Cheney said.

The county's meth task force was formed in November 2006, based on a
similar model in Mesa County.

"We have left the runway and we are trying to get airborne," Cheney
told commissioners.

County commissioners on Tuesday awarded a $25,000 contract to
Community Health Initiatives, which will administer the funds for the
task force. Cheney said members are looking to use most of that money
for "needs-based" treatment and to prevent potential users from
"reaching out to the community by committing crime."

"If we can get to these people before they get to the criminal
justice system, we can save the taxpayers money," Cheney said.

Other money from the contract is expected go toward law enforcement
to stem the flow of meth, Cheney said.

The task force has divided into several subcommittees, touching on
subjects including drug-endangered children, treatment, public
safety, and prevention and public awareness. An executive committee
oversees them all.

"The meth task force is looking for people of the community to
participate. It is not solely law enforcement," said Cheney, who
added people can call the district attorney's office for more
information or to participate. "It is not solely the treatment
community. It is a community-focused group. We want members of the
community involved."

Commissioner Tresi Houpt told Cheney to "keep up the battle and let's
educate" people about the dangers of meth in the county.

"We are really proud of you," Commissioner John Martin told Cheney
and others associated with the task force. "Thank you for stepping up
and doing this."