FIRST YEAR SUCCESS OF STATE POLICE METH RESPONSE TEAMS APPLAUDED

As the Illinois State Police's (ISP) six Meth Response Teams (MRT's)
mark their one-year anniversary, Governor Rod R. Blagojevich today
announced that in their first year of operation, the MRT's handled a
total of 750 meth related incidents, made 653 arrests and seized
nearly 213,000 grams of drugs and materials related to the production
of meth. The Governor created the Meth Response Teams (MRT's) last
year as part of the state's ongoing effort to combat the
proliferation of one of the fastest-growing and most dangerous
illegal drug trades in Illinois.

"The dangers associated with meth go well beyond the user. T he
process of making the drug puts families, neighbors and even entire
communities at risk. We created the Meth Response Teams to help local
police fight the spread of meth," said Governor Rod R. Blagojevich.
"The results from the first year are very encouraging, which shows
that the Response Teams are making a difference."

One of the original goals set for the MRT's was to assume part of the
workload, resulting from the increase in meth related cases on drug
task forces and Metropolitan Enforcement Groups (MEG). Meth arrests
made by MEGs and task forces had skyrocketed by more than 100
percent, from 605 arrests in 2000 to 1,264 in 2004.

A recent report issued by the Illinois Criminal Justice Information
Authority (ICJIA), said the teams had an immediate and significant
effect on the growing problem of meth use and production and were
responsible for easing the burden on localized drug task forces.

Stationed in six multi-county zones across the state, MRTs
immediately picked up where the MEGs and task forces had left off,
increasing the total number of meth arrests and lab seizures
statewide, with much of their focus in central and southern Illinois.
Following MRT program implementation in May 2005, the local drug
enforcement groups were again able to put their resources into
fighting use, manufacture, and distribution of other drugs.

"We're taking a very serious approach to the significant issues
associated with this devastating drug," stated Illinois State Police
Director Larry Trent. "Law enforcement remains committed to this
effort and my agency will dedicate every resource necessary to combat
this dangerous drug. The Governor has provided the laws needed to
place the violators in jail. We must protect all victims,
particularly the children, placed in harm's way by those producing
methamphetamine."

The six dedicated Methamphetamine Response Teams (MRTs) are
responsible for investigating, seizing, and dismantling clandestine
drug laboratories. The Governor dedicated these teams exclusively to
fighting the increasing production of methamphetamine in Illinois.
The initiative is a three-pronged approach for dealing with meth and
the problems attributed to its use and production.

The 750 cases included 167 referred to MRT by other ISP investigative
and narcotics units and 324 provided by other law enforcement
entities. Local law enforcement agencies are not required to utilize
services provided by the MRT's but are aware of the units'
availability and resources.

"The Methamphetamine Response Team program is tremendously helpful to the

multijurisdictional enforcement groups and drug task forces we are
supporting across Illinois," said Lori G. Levin, Illinois Criminal
Justice Information Authority executive director. "Because these
teams focus solely on meth-related drug crimes, the localized task
forces we have in place are able to put the focus on fighting use,
production, and distribution of other drugs throughout the state,
such as marijuana, heroin, and cocaine."

The majority of the 750 meth related incidents involved MRT personnel
taking the lead on cases. Officers would complete the necessary
investigative work, perform the takedown of clandestine labs, remove
volatile chemicals used in meth production and assist in sanitizing
the area occupied by the lab. Their actions resulted in 653 meth
related arrests of manufacturers and associates, usually involved in
the procurement of materials needed for production. The arrests of
these individuals lead to the seizure of over 212,924 grams of meth,
both liquid and powder, and liquid ephedrine and pseudoephedrine.

In addition to enforcement, the teams are also involved in raising
awareness and education efforts, presenting meth programs to
community groups and schools, and co-teaching the awareness message
along with Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) representatives.

During the past year officers have completed 177 presentations to
retail and business establishments and 169 presentations to schools
and community groups, along with 19 Drug Endangered Children training
sessions. The training sessions were designed for social service
personnel, public safety officials and educators. Retailers and
businesses, such as pharmacies, also received special training.

In addition to creating the MRT's, Gov. Blagojevich has taken several
actions to make it harder for meth producers to obtain ingredients,
and to stiffen penalties for manufacturers, dealers and users.