METH SPREADS INTO AFFLUENT AREAS

Highly Addictive Drug Is Everyone's Problem.

There's a common assumption that methamphetamine users live in poorer
neighborhoods. However, police are finding increasing numbers of meth labs,
and some are in affluent neighborhoods. Take, for example, the meth fire
that started last week in a nice middle-class neighborhood in southwest
Greene County.

Officials with the Springfield Police Department said the ready
availability of meth makes it extremely tempting for people of all
socioeconomic backgrounds. People can't assume that their neighbors won't
use the drug just because they live in a better part of town.

The ingredients to make meth are available at many groceries and
drugstores, and lots of people in the Springfield area know how to mix the
chemicals to cook up the deadly concoction. Rehabilitated meth users say
the high is so powerful, they were hooked after just one time.

Once a meth lab takes root in a neighborhood, it can seem like a very bad
dream for residents. Narcotics officers are often frustrated that after
months of building a case against meth cooks, the criminals will post bond
and return to their old practices.

"The sad thing is, when you bash in the door, the problem doesn't go away,"
said Maj. Steve Ijames, investigations division commander. "They continue
to do it. From a neighbor's perspective, if you have to live through that
nightmare, especially if they have children, I don't how they live through it."

There are myriad hazards associated with houses where meth is being cooked.

Explosions, fires and poison gas are just some of the possible dangers.

Some of the characteristics of houses where meth is being made include
strong odors of ammonia or cat urine, large numbers of people coming and
going at all hours and excessive amounts of trash, especially clear glass
containers.

If you suspect drug trafficking in your neighborhood, call the Springfield
Police Department Narcotics Enforcement Unit at 864-1789 and give detailed
reports of the activity you've seen.

We cannot stress strongly enough: This is a battle that most likely will
get worse before it gets better.

Meth cooks and users often have little concern for the health of those
around them. They certainly don't have much concern for their own well-being.

Parents should also be wary that their children don't get caught up with
this drug. Warning signs include a large, sudden loss of weight, a new
group of friends and increasing fidgetiness.

The message from law enforcement is unavoidable.

Meth is not someone else's problem.

Meth is not in someone else's neighborhood.

Meth is not going away anytime soon.

Meth is everyone's problem and it's very likely in your neighborhood now.

This is not something we can ignore and hope that it goes away.