FORUM HOPES TO RAISE METH AWARENESS

MT. VERNON - Although methamphetamine usage is still a problem for
the area, the number of labs and arrests related to the drug is down
drastically, according to area law enforcers.

"The meth cases we're getting are lower," Mt. Vernon Police Chief
Chris Mendenall said. "I attribute it to the law changes, but it
could be even better. I believe that the ingredients that are used to
make meth in cough medicines should only be available by
prescription. That would really change things."

Salem Police Chief Ron Campo said in addition to recent changes in
the laws in Illinois, his force uses the side-effects of the drug to
force users out of the area.

"Our numbers [of cases] are sharply down," Campo said. "I think our
aggressive approach has knocked them out of the area. I say let their
paranoia work for you. ... If they think the police are going to come
down the chimney to arrest them, I say park a squad car in their
front drive and make them really wonder. ... We just have to change
tactics as needed."

State Rep. Kurt Granberg, D-Carlyle, hosted the district-wide
methamphetamine awareness seminar in Mt. Vernon Monday night.

"I'm trying to increase awareness of the issue," Granberg said. "This
has really become a plague for our people. It's highly addictive and
makes people dysfunctional."

Granberg said in addition to laws to make the penalties for meth use,
manufacture and endangering other people that have recently been
toughened, the new meth registry is a step in the right direction for
fighting meth.

"We need to work with other states and coordinate our activities,"
Granberg said. "That way, when they move out of one area, we can
continue to track them."

The registry is for those who have been convicted in Illinois of
making meth or possession of methamphetamine precursors, such as
Sudafed tablets, with the intent to manufacture meth. The information
includes their name, date of birth, offense or offenses, the
conviction date and county of each offense as well as any other
identifying information deemed necessary by the Illinois State Police.

Granberg said he hopes the state can work with Missouri and Indiana
to track offenders through the database. In addition to the registry,
Granberg said he believes the recent law to move over-the-counter
medicines containing pseudoephedrine - a meth ingredient - to
restricted areas and limiting the amount a consumer can purchase have
also made a big difference in the fight against meth.

"The pharmaceutical companies were against it at first," Granberg
said. "They changed their minds after they saw how much of a
difference it has made."

According to Jefferson County Sheriff Roger Mulch, the joint Mt.
Vernon Jefferson County Narcotics Unit and deputies on patrol were
called to 104 meth lab reports last year.

"That's not all the reports," Mulch explained. "That was just all the
reports we were able to prove that involved known meth labs. This
year, we've had less than 10."

Mulch said he believes the difference is due to a combination of
legislation and patrols.

"I hope, well, I'd like to be able to say they know we're serious
about fighting meth and they have moved out of the area. We were all
ramped up for the warm weather when the activity spikes. It just
hasn't happened yet."

Master Sgt. Bill Sons with the Southeastern Illinois Drug Task Force
told those attending that since its inception last year, the force
has cleaned up and processed more than 240 labs in the area.

Sons told the crowd that some of the signs people should look for
that indicate meth activity include a lot of traffic around a house,
burning trash or stockpiling garbage, covered windows and exhaust
fans in windows, surveillance cameras around a residence and baby
monitors outside.

Also speaking during the seminar were Tom McNamara of the Southern
Illinois Enforcement Group, Sharon Fradelos with Jefferson County
Comprehensive Services, Wendy Bailie of Franklin-Williamson Human
Services and 2nd Judicial Circuit Chief Judge George Timberlake.