METH MARKET EXPANDS IN SPOKANE

Most Drug Arrests In January Meth-Related

It's cheap, easy to make and produces a lasting high.

These qualities have contributed to making methamphetamines a favorite
among area drug abusers. In turn, arrests for meth violations accounted for
almost half of all drug busts in the city of Spokane in 1999.

"I don't think it's reached a peak yet," said Lt. Chan Bailey of the
Spokane Sheriff's Office and director of the Regional Drug Task Force.

In 1992, city police made just three meth-related arrests, figures on the
department's Web site show.

That number escalated to 462 last year.

Spokane County sheriff's deputies are making more arrests for meth use,
too: 107 in 1995 and 203 last year.

A total of 14 meth labs were broken up by deputies in 1999, compared to
none in 1994.

Crack cocaine was the scourge of drug enforcers in the 1980s and early '90s
- -- spawning harsh federal penalties -- but meth has overtaken crack as the
preferred illegal narcotic in the last several years.

Bailey said crack and meth sell for about the same street price: roughly
$70 a gram.

But for drug users, meth is easier to make and produces a longer high.

Bailey notes that meth can be manufactured in a minimum of 30 minutes using
off-the-shelf products, including cold and diet medications combined with
extracts from paint thinner, drain cleaner and gasoline line anti-freeze.

What's more, meth can then be taken in virtually any fashion, from
inhaling to injection. "For society, the bigger concerns are the crimes
being committed when people use the drug," Bailey said.

According to the National Institute of Drug Abuse, chronic meth abusers
show violent behavior, anxiety, confusion plus some psychotic
characteristics.

Bailey said about half of Spokane's meth supply is manufactured locally,
while all cocaine and heroine is imported.

Spokane police said Monday it appears meth will be responsible for the
majority of drug arrests in January.