OFFICER TALKS DRUGS AND DANGER; CRIME WATCH COMMITTEE FORMED

SYRACUSE -- The connection between crime and drugs was discussed and
a chairman for a neighborhood crime watch program was named at
Wednesday's meeting of Syracuse residents and others at the Syracuse
Community Center.

Meeting with the residents were Detective Jason Kline and Deputy
Jimmy Childs of the Athens County Sheriff's Department, along with
local officials, Police Chief Shannon Smith and Leslie Edwards of the
Syracuse Police Department and Mayor Eric Cunningham.

Following a program by Detective Kline on various drugs, their
addiction and effects on a user, the residents began the process of
organizing a neighborhood crime watch. Tom Weaver volunteered to
serve as the leader for the group and volunteers are being solicited
to serve on the committee. Weaver can be contacted at 992-3272.

In a power point program, Kline presented information to the group on
major drugs that negatively affect communities. He listed alcohol as
the most abused drug. Next on the list was cocaine which he described
as a white powder substance resembling baking powder with a yellow
or brownish tint, which creates a 15-20 minute emotional high, is
ingested by snorting, or can be injected, eaten or smoked. The effect
on the user, he said, is feeling anxious.

As for heroin, widely abused during 1960's to 70"s, Kline said it is
making a strong come back in rural communities. According to officer,
heroin is primarily injected, cannot be grown in the United States
due to climate issues and is shipped in from South America. The most
prevalent in southeast Ohio is Black Tar Heroin generally packaged in
small balloons inside baggies.

When injected, he said it causes a person to become drowsy with
dilated pupils, making an individual unable to focus because it
depresses the central nervous system. People who use heroin get sick
if they don't have a fix every six to eight hours, the officer added.
Withdrawal symptoms are severe, A person using heroin will have
needle marks in their veins that can collapse or develop abscesses
and other serious health complications.

He also spoke about marijuana, commonly called "Meigs County Gold,"
grass, bud, or pot, and has a distinctive odor. Kline said it is
commonly smoked in pipes or sometimes used in food, and causes a
person to feel mellow and get the munchies.

As for methamphetamine or "Meth" as it is commonly called, Kline said
it is a one hundred percent human produced narcotic that is extremely
flammable, hazardous and carcinogenic. It is made from common
household items and when ingested, caused euphoria, increased
alertness, concentration and energy. It may cause weight loss,
increased self-esteem, confidence and libido. Kline advised everyone
to stay away from people using the drug because they can be extremely
dangerous.

Prescription narcotics such as Oxycontin, Percocet, Vicodin,
Kolanapin, Rocycodine and Valium are all legally prescribed for
medical issues, but can all be abused. These drugs can be ingested by
snorting, taken orally or injected, he said.

Kline advised anyone seeing drug activity occurring to contact
authorities, and not attempt to deal with it because of the danger.
Vehicles involved in drug activity can be confiscated, he said, and
this hurts the drug dealer. These vehicles are then sold and the
money is used to provide equipment for the local law enforcement
agency, he explained.

He recommended starting up the DARE program again so a preventative
program is in place for the youth in the county. Grant money is
available for this program to pay deputies to go to schools to talk
to youngsters about the danger of drugs.