LA CROSSE COUNTY METH CASE NUMBERS HIGHER

Methamphetamine cases appear to be on the rise in La Crosse County,
with more than 20 cases prosecuted in 2005 and no signs of decline
this year, officials in the district attorneyis office said.

County Assistant District Attorney Todd Bjerke said 22 meth cases
were prosecuted last year, on felony charges that included
possession, manufacture and delivery of the drug.

While 2003 and 2004 statistics were unavailable, Bjerke said heis
definitely seen an increase in meth-related crimes in the past two years.

Of those 22 cases, five went to U.S. District Court in Madison and
two were handled in the countyis drug court, Bjerke said.

The 22 defendants o fewer than 10 of whom were La Crosse County
residents o received sentences that ranged from probation to jail or
prison time.

The defendants' ages ran the gamut, starting in the teens and ending
in the 50s.

And with 10 people charged in just one case May 5, Bjerke said he
expects the number of meth cases will continue to go up in 2006.

iIf theyire involved in distribution, there are users out there that
are going to find the drug elsewhere until they get caught,i Bjerke
said. iWeire going to keep getting more people.i Meth is a powerful
stimulant that affects the central nervous system. The highly
addictive, inexpensive drug gives users an intense high, increases
energy and alertness and decreases appetite.

The potentially deadly drug can become instantly addictive. Users
will continue in an attempt to experience the feeling of the initial high.

It can be manufactured using ingredients commonly available at drug
stores, especially over-the-counter cold medicines containing
ephedrine or pseudoephedrine.

Unlike other illegal substances, all charges involving meth are
felonies, including possession.