TASK FORCE TARGETS METHAMPHETAMINE

Retailers Learn To Spot Makers Of Stimulant

Even though very little methamphetamine has been found in Green Bay,
narcotics agents are hoping to stop a problem before it starts.

Education is the key, they say.

Agents from the Brown County Drug Task Force have begun teaching local
retailers how to spot people buying supplies to make methamphetamine -- a
powerful and addictive stimulant commonly known as "meth."

Part of the concern is that ingredients to make -- or cook -- meth are
available at variety and hardware stores. Used in the right combination,
chemicals found in drain cleaner and lithium batteries can turn Sudafed or
ephedrine into meth.

"Meth is more powerful than cocaine and about the same price out on the
street but a lot cheaper to manufacture," said Green Bay police officer
Keith Selissen.

"Not only is it corrosive and toxic while cooking, it's explosive."

Recipes for meth are readily available on the Internet, and a basic
knowledge of chemistry will get someone started.

"It's not a problem now," said Selissen, who has been assigned to the drug
task force to work the education detail. "We are trying to beat it before
it becomes a problem."

Brown County Sheriff's Department Lt. Jeff Sanborn, a former director of
the county's drug unit, agreed that meth probably will develop as a problem
locally.

"It was on the increase, moving in from the western part of Wisconsin,"
said Sanborn, who led the narcotics unit for 18 months. "Cities like Eau
Claire have task forces set aside to deal with meth."

Sanborn said most of the methamphetamine found in Green Bay is trafficked
here from other areas.

However, officers had begun to hear rumors of the drug being manufactured
in Green Bay.

"Historically, we have had a lot of cocaine and (marijuana), but I think
we're starting to see more experimental stuff like ... meth," Sanborn said.

As part of the education program, police are training retailers to be alert
for people buying combinations of materials or large quantities of specific
items often.

Sudafed or ephedrine top the list along with brake cleaner, drain cleaner,
engine starter fluid, Heet-brand gas treatment, lye and denatured alcohol.

Staff at about 100 stores have received the training, and agents hope to
involve more stores in coming weeks.

Selissen said store staff are instructed not to confront shoppers, but
rather to note names and license plate numbers and pass them along to a
drug tip line. While there's no law against buying the ingredients that
make up meth, police can at least keep their eye on people making large
purchases.

Producing the drug can mean prison time, depending on the quantity.

"People who are using meth are very unstable," Selissen said. "We just want
people to be observant. We'll do the rest."