METH TASK FORCE TO MEET IN PLAINVIEW

Currently ranked number two, behind Harnett County, law enforcement
throughout Sampson County has raided 22 methamphetamine "meth" labs
this year alone with the help of the Sampson County Methamphetamine
"Meth" Task Force.

Getting its start in 2003, the Meth Task Force was a formula to bring
county leaders together and devise a plan on how to make a difference
in the community by informing the public about methamphetamine and its
dangers to users and children stuck in the middle of a lab situation.

One meth task force leader, J.W. Simmons, director of Community
Service and Life Long Learning at Sampson Community College, stated
earlier last week, "We look at meth in a completely different way."

In accordance with their website, the task force has "identified and
developed" a strategic plan that includes early intervention, public
awareness, a response plan and training.

Department of Social Services director, Sarah Bradshaw, elaborated
through the website, "Early intervention is an effort using the
existing Eastpointe Mental Health call in referral and treatment
number to first prevent meth use and secondly offer addicts an
alternative before the eventual involvement with law enforcement and
the judicial system.

"If people become addicted, quite often the result is incarceration or
committing some other crime. The key thing is that in reality
detention is not treatment. The person will go in an addict and come
out an addict," J.W. Simmons furthered.

Secondly, the Meth Task force implements public awareness about
methamphetamine. Bradshaw displayed through www.methdeath.org that
efforts have been made in the public school systems and businesses
through out the county by dispersing flyers.

The flyers give an extensive explanation about what chemicals are used
while making meth, what possible signs to look for in suspicion of a
meth lab, symptoms of a meth user and what actions to take if any of
the listed above situations are discovered.

"The task force has had a tremendous impact to show the children what
to look for. The police even asked us to be more informative because
they were getting a record numbers of calls from kids claiming to have
uncovered a lab," Simmons illustrated.

The Meth Task Force also has designed a response plan which "primarily
focuses on children found in the 'meth' labs and sets forth a protocol
for the proper and safe care of those children.

"Sarah and her staff at the DSS are probably the most important for
the emergency response arena. We did not know what to do with the kids
if they inhaled the gasses. If this stuff is inhaled it can
crystallize the lungs and kill immediately; therefore, Sarah and her
staff have designed protocols for dealing with children," Simmons furthered.

"Our protocol shows that staff, through training, what to look for in
a meth raid (regarding small children) and how to handle the child
before taking it to the hospital. We sometimes have to take away a
blanket or toy because the hospital will not take them with
contaminated items," Bradshaw explained.

Along with training for children safety, the Meth Task Force has also
designed training methods that will "bring individuals up to date on
this public health hazard."

According to the official website, "A four hour training is conducted
for emergency response, two hour training programs for public and
private employees finding their jobs bringing them into hazardous
situations and a training sessions for any persons interested in
making presentations.

Previously, the Meth Task Force has conducted meetings in Clinton;
however, come Nov. 19, the Meth Task Force "will take their show on
the road," according to Bradshaw, as they hold a meeting open to the
public at the Plainview Fire Department at 7 p.m.

"We usually meet upstairs (at the DSS), on the third Wednesday of
every month, but we wanted to be more visible to residents starting in
Plainview because it has the highest amount of meth labs," Bradshaw
concluded.

During the community wide Meth Task Force event the public will hear
from Sheriff Jimmy Thorton, a Eastpointe Mental Health representative,
specialest in training methods and David Chestnutt who will share his
personally experiences with the audience.

"The task force will be on hand with information on the efforts we are
making locally. We are trying to make a difference, which will change
people in our community," Simmons summed up Wednesday of last week.

For more information regarding the Sampson County Methamphetamine Task
Force visit their website at www.methdeath.org.