CHILDREN ARE HIDDEN VICTIMS IN METH ABUSE

Angels Camp Police Chief Tony Tacheira remembers one drug bust where
they discovered a child sleeping on the floor of a dining room.

"We've gone to places where I wouldn't even put my dog to live in," he said.

Stopping situations like these is a main target of a new program
headed by the Calaveras County Sheriff's Department. Calaveras County
will use state grant money to construct a team to shut down
manufacturing of methamphetamine.

The Calaveras County Board of Supervisors discussed the hiring of
four new positions at its meeting today in San Andreas.

The California Multi-Jurisdictional Methamphetamine Enforcement Team
will consist of the Sheriff's Department, Angels Camp Police
Department, Child Protective Services and the Alpine County Sheriff's
Department.

The team is assigned the task of halting production and helping
children exposed first-hand to the drug.

"I would like to see the cycle broken where drug use becomes so
prevalent that caring for a child goes on the back burner," said
Calaveras Undersheriff Michael Walker.

His department will contribute one full-time sergeant and two new
deputies. Calaveras Child Protective Services will add a part-time
social worker to the team.

Calaveras, like many rural counties, has seen both jumps and dips in
methamphetamine possession due to recent statewide efforts.

According to past reports, the county saw 60 arrests for
methamphetamine possession in 2005 with a slight increase in 2006.
There were 112 general narcotics arrests in Angels Camp alone last
year, Tacheira said.

Walker, who served in the county's narcotics unit in the late 1990s,
said tougher enforcement in the Central Valley has pushed
manufacturing out to Calaveras and other rural communities. The
Sheriff's Department has been working for several years to get
funding because of this trend.

"We really haven't had the opportunity to investigate large-scale
methamphetamine production," Walker said. "And we know it goes on here."

One indicator is the persistent dumping of highly toxic chemicals,
used in making the drug, in the Milton and Jenny Lind areas. These
dumpsites pose a threat to nearby humans and warrants action from the
county's hazardous waste team, Walker said.

Drugs such as ecstasy and LSD are prevalent in youth and teenage
culture. However, methamphetamine use has been found in older age
ranges from 25- to 50-years-old.

About 68 percent of the county's methamphetamine cases had children
present or at risk, said Calaveras Works and Human Services Agency
Director Mary Sawicki.

Sawicki said Child Protective Services would often take custody of
children if ordered by the court. Now the team will have a dedicated
social worker alongside law enforcement who would be able to
accompany them to the scene.

"We're viewing this as a wonderful opportunity to work more closely
with the Sheriff's Department on the issue," Sawicki said.

There are several outcomes for children exposed to methamphetamine
use or production. For cases where parents are deemed unfit, a child
may be placed under foster care, where education and physical and
mental health are all monitored.

Tacheira, who is contributing one officer to the team, said the
relationship between enforcement and child services would allow for a
more streamlined and efficient process.

"We're really attacking those parents hung up on drug addictions,
that have given up on caring for their children," he said.

The state grant has awarded the county $295,000 for 18 months with
potential for more funding in coming years. Alpine County is
contributing $71,000 to help make up the difference in the total cost
of $375,000.

Aside from the additional enforcement, a new vehicle and training
seminars add to the bill.

Walker said once budget transfers go through, the methamphetamine
team is geared to begin work almost immediately.

While shutting down the production of the drug is key, Walker said he
is personally excited to help exposed children.

"We need to give these kids a chance to get a start on life," he said.