OFFICIALS CALL ATTENTION TO SPREAD OF METH PROBLEMS

HARTFORD, Conn. -- The two maps displayed by federal and state
officials at the Capitol on Thursday showed the alarming spread of
methamphetamine problems across the country.

For example in 1992, only Oregon had 40 or more people per 100,000
population being treated for meth use. The other map showed that by
2004, most states west of the Mississippi had that treatment rate.

The problems are clearly spreading to the eastern half of the United
States, and top state and federal officials in Connecticut said
Thursday that they have anti-meth efforts underway but they also need
help from the public.

"It's headed right toward us," U.S. Attorney Kevin O'Connor said.
"This year, it's not a major problem. But if we ignore it, we're not
proactive, it could soon become a major problem and then we will all
be paying the price for that."

O'Connor was joined by Gov. M. Jodi Rell and officials from state and
federal law enforcement and public health agencies on the first
National Methamphetamine Awareness Day sponsored by the U.S.
Department of Justice.

Officials said they were unaware of statistics showing that the number
of workplace employees testing positive for meth surged 35 percent in
Connecticut during the first five months of the year, compared with
the same period in 2005.

The data by New Jersey-based Quest Diagnostics Inc. showed the number
of workers testing positive for meth dipped dramatically in several
Midwest and western states, but surged along the East Coast.

Federal authorities describe meth as a powerful, highly addictive drug
that dramatically affects the central nervous system. Its most common
ingredient is pseudoephedrine or ephedrine, which are found in cold
medicines.

But other ingredients used to make meth create health and public
safety hazards, officials say. They include ether, paint thinner,
acetone, drain cleaner and battery acid. Those ingredients make
meth-producing labs toxic and potentially explosive.

Officials said the public can help by reporting any signs of potential
meth-making activity, such as a strong smell of ammonia, urine or
ether, propane tanks with fittings that have turned blue and large
amounts of discarded cold tablet containers.

Meth users often pick or scratch their skin, creating open sores that
may become infected. They also often grind their teeth and clench their jaws.

One of the first indicators that the meth problem had reached
Connecticut came in June 2005, when police discovered meth labs in two
homes in East Hampton.

The busts came after authorities got a tip from a farm supply store
owner, who reported some people buying large amounts of iodine
solution, another meth ingredient. Three people were arrested.

Authorities said two meth labs have been found in Connecticut this
year.

Brian Crowell, a top Drug Enforcement Administration agent in
Connecticut, said there isn't a scourge of meth labs in the state,
probably because they are more difficult to hide here than in rural
states. He also said meth could be making its way to Connecticut
through well-established drug distribution routes.

Most of the meth in the United States is coming from so-called "super
labs" in Mexico, Crowell said.

The DEA has agents trained to deal with meth labs, and it has trained
more than 1,500 police officers and emergency responders in New
England on handling the drug factories.

"If you produce or traffic methamphetamine in Connecticut, you will be
apprehended and you will go to jail," Crowell said.

Rell said a new federal law that took effect Sept. 30 is helping to
fight the problem. The law bans over-the-counter sales of certain cold
medicines that have ingredients used to make meth, including
pseudoephedrine and ephedrine. It requires consumers to show a photo
identification, and they can only buy a 30-day supply of such medicines.

The governor said she would be calling on the legislature next year to
increase the penalties for selling or manufacturing meth. Proposals
she made earlier this year were not approved in the 2006 legislative
session.

Under Rell's plan, first-time violators could face up to 15 years in
prison and/or a fine up to $50,000. For a second offense, they'd face
up to 30 years in prison and/or a fine up to $100,000. Subsequent
offenses would call for an automatic 30-year prison term with a fine
of up to $250,000.

"We need to send that message that the sale and possession of this
drug will land you in jail," Rell said.