DANE COUNTY IS PREPARED SHOULD A METH EPIDEMIC HIT HERE

Sandy Theune, a lieutenant with the Madison Police Department, and
Gordon C. Disch, a sergeant with the Dane County Sheriff's Office, are
members of the Dane County Narcotics and Gang Task Force. While
methamphetamine is not currently a significant problem in Dane County,
there is no reason to believe we will be immune to it. We must be
constantly aware of the po tential devastation to individuals as well
as the environmental hazards methamphetamine presents.

The good news is that Dane County is better prepared to deal with the
consequences of such an epidemic than we would have been three to five
years ago. We have had ongoing training for law enforcement personnel
throughout the county, as well as for our fire and emergency medical
counterparts.

There is also a heightened awareness among child protective services,
health care providers and environmental service agencies.

In the past two years, only five cases of possession of
methamphetamine have been brought forward for prosecution in Dane
County, and only one lab has been dismantled by law enforcement that
we are aware of.

The state has new laws making it illegal to possess the precursors for
the manufacture of methamphetamine. These laws will assist in slowing
down the manufacture of methamphetamine in clandestine labs.

The United States Department of Justice's Drug Enforcement
Administration reports that much of the methamphetamine is being
brought into our area from Mexico. Continued public education about
and awareness of methamphetamine is essential if Dane County is to
stay "ahead of the game."

The one area in which we may not be well prepared is dealing with the
potential costs associated with the treatment of amphetamine users and
their families. In those counties with significant methamphetamine
problems, the demand on human services, jails, medical resources in
jails, and community treatment resources has been enormous. Dane
County may not be fully prepared to deal with the human cost of a
methamphetamine epidemic.

Dane County must be concerned about methamphetamine just as it must be
about heroin, crack cocaine, cocaine and marijuana. Methamphetamine is
a highly addictive drug. It is not something a person can try just
once and quit cold turkey.

In many ways, methamphetamine is like crack cocaine. It's highly
addictive usually one hit and a person is addicted.

In the early 1980s when crack cocaine came on the scene in Dane
County, we were less prepared to deal with it because we had little
training and very little insight as to the problems associated with
long-term use.

With methamphetamine, law enforcement, EMS, fire, medical, social
service and environmental professionals have received training and
literature on what to look for and what the long term needs of the
users will be.

The sight of a clandestine lab is considered a hazardous waste sight
and also becomes a liability to the property owner and the respective
municipality for years to come.

If a methamphetamine epidemic does hit Dane County, our improved laws,
training, knowledge and resources will be key to defeating it.