PLAIN VIEW RESIDENTS GIVEN EYE-OPENING LOOK AT METH PROBLEMS

PLAIN VIEW- One of the most "dangerous drugs" in the United States was
discussed Wednesday night in the Plain View community. Although
temperatures dipped below 35 degrees, it was nothing compared to the
bone-chilling reality check given to those in attendance by members of
Sampson's Meth Task Force.

Lynn Beasley, of Plain View, attended the meeting with his 13-year-old
son Adam to learn more about the drug and the county's situation, he
said.

"I found out a lot I didn't know about it; I have been a fireman for
30 years (in Plain View). I was just wondering about some of the
stuff. It's some dangerous stuff and our kids are coming up in it.
It's dangerous, it's really dangerous."

Beasley said Adam is currently involved in the fire department and he
is hoping to keep him there, away from the easy money and seductive
temptations of the drug world. Adam is a seventh grader at Coats-Erwin
Middle Sschool and said he already "knew just a little bit" about meth
before coming to the meeting.

Approximately 28 others heard the same presentation that ended the
night with hope. Announced by J.W. Simmons, the METH Task Force
chairman, was a new outpatient service center for mental health and
substance abuse called Sandhills Center. The center is located in
Buies Creek, Simmons said, adding that people can walk in, or call, to
get help if they are trying to quit. For those who need immediate
attention, a phone number was provided on a red bracelet - the number
will connect the caller with a representative from Eastpointe. That
number is 1-800-513-4002.

But the goal of the task force is prevention, officials
say.

The meth problem in the county was described as "very serious" by
Sampson County Sheriff Jimmy Thornton, who talked about the number of
meth labs the county has had to dismantle, many of them in the nothern
part of the ocunty.

From the start of the new year up to this last week, said Thornton,
"We have been to 55 sites. Of those 55, 22 have been in operation."

Of those 22, 18 have been in the northern part of the county,"
Thornton continued. Sampson County is second only to Harnett, which
leads the state in meth production, said the sheriff. "What these
individuals are doing is going between the counties."

Citizens who suspect strange activity have been asked to call the
Sheriff's Department.

Released by the task force were "12 Clues for recognizing meth labs."
Signs include: the mixing of unusual chemicals in a house, garage or
barn by person not involved in the chemical industry. Possession of
unusual materials such as large amounts of over-the-counter
allergy/cold/diet medications (containing ephedrine or pseudo
ephedrine) or large quantities of solvents such as Acetone, Coleman
Fuel, Toluene, etc. Residences with operating fans in windows in cold
weather. And unusually strong odors like cat urine, ether, ammonia,
acetone or other chemicals.