LATHAM LED TALK ON LOCAL DRUG PROBLEM

Representatives of Plymouth County agencies and schools agreed to meet
again to discuss local issues related to illegal drug use after Friday's
session led by U.S. Fifth District Congressman Tom Latham.

This was the 22nd meeting Latham has held in the fifth district to discuss
issues of drugs. He emphasized the dangers of methamphetamine: "We are
truly in a crisis, but in the early stages of it."

While Iowa accounts for only about one percent of the population of the
nation, Iowa represents nine percent of the methamphetamine arrests in the
U.S. However, the Republican candidate admitted the high arrest rate may be
through more stringent policing.

About 24 individuals from around Plymouth County attended the two-hour
session Friday morning at the Le Mars Convention Center.

Dep. Lynn Steckelburg, D.A.R.E. officer in the Plymouth County Sheriff's
Office, explained, "We have a drug problem in this county. I don't think
it's more or less than other counties in this area."

He indicated that parents are communicating more with their children
through the fifth-graders' D.A.R.E. program. He commended the schools'
cooperation with the anti-drug program.

Steckelburg described evidence that there are "meth" labs labs in the
county which have been dumped. "This meth problem has just exploded in our
face."

Kimm Nielsen, Akron police chief, explained that meth is easier to hide
than a six-pack of beer. A driver could snort an eighth of a gram of meth
as an officer walks up to the car and there might be no indication of drug
use visible. Nielsen said that their community showed drinking alcohol as a
bigger problem with some marijuana use.

Barb Johnson, Akron-Westfield high school counselor, said, "I think parents
are the key." She expressed frustration dealing with families where the
parents also had substance problems or might supply their children with
alcohol or other drugs.

"We don't think that as parents we have much influence on our kids, but in
fact, we do," said Latham. He promised the group that he was not bringing
more federal programs to deal with drugs, but wanted to see efforts at the
local level to eliminate the problem. The Congressman's insistence on
zero-level tolerance was opposed by some members present.

Teens are turned off by the hypocrisy or adults who drink or smoke
themselves, but speak against it for young people, according to several
students and adults Friday morning. Neal Adler suggested that
methamphetamine be separated from a more general discussion of drugs.

Stu Dekkenga, Le Mars police chief, noted an increase of meth use in the
community. He explained that the user is likely to be stealing, driving
without a driver's license, and causing problems for the family. "It
affects all of us and people that we know."

While the Le Mars Police Department and the Plymouth County Sheriff's
Office work together on the Anti-Drug Task Force trying to track who is
selling drugs, Dekkenga said, hours after an arrest, officers hear about
someone taking the place of that dealer.

"There's such a demand, people are willing to risk everything they have to
make this stuff." The police chief explained that many users try making
meth in simple labs, with recipes and ingredients readily available. He
added that drug use found in the area was not due to organized crime as
emphasized in Latham's introduction.

Steckelburg described his work with young people that "They know that
harder drugs are out there," but alcohol and tobacco were talked about
more. The deputy showed enthusiasm for training received at the meth
training lab in Sioux City. He also told the group that educational efforts
last fall brought a number of calls for information.

Calling law enforcement officers, even without leaving the caller's name,
was advised by Dekkenga. "If you don't tell anybody, nothing happens. Make
the call, instead of just wonder" when someone appears to act suspiciously.
Characteristics mentioned were no source of regular legitimate income and
lots of visitors that might prompt a phone call to law enforcement.

"Standards and awareness are going to change this problem dramatically,"
stated Latham.

Mark Moir commented, "I think treatment is a bigger problem than
prevention." He explained that, while many people say they support
treatment for those with substance problems, they may be resistent when a
treatment center is moved nearby.

"People make mistakes and we have to understand this," added Moir. He
agreed with students who suggested that role models, locally and
nationally, may encourage problem drinking and drug use.

Steckelberg explained that law enforcement does not have the funds or
personnel to expand D.A.R.E. beyond the fifth grade. However, there seemed
to be consensus that in high school, students could become involved in
harmful activities.

A discussion on having a teen center showed that even in places like Sioux
City, there were kids who claimed there was never anything to do. The
students agreed that a minority would still seek alternative behavior even
if teen centers were established.

Dick Seivert, high school counselor, and Lori Nussbaum, elementary and
middle school principal, for Gehlen Catholic Schools, described programs
offered through their school. Seivert encouraged those interested to meet
again and invite others who were not present from county agencies. A
meeting was set for 9 a.m. Friday, July 7 at the Akron Country Club.

"We have such a great opportunity to maintain what we have in Iowa,"
concluded Latham.