METH ARRESTS JUMPING IN CHATHAM COUNTY

Meth arrests jumping in Chatham County A new, portable way to make the
drug has labs popping up more often

By Arek Sarkissian II

A new way to make methamphetamine has drastically amplified the
presence of the highly addictive drug in Chatham County.

As of Saturday night, the Chatham-Savannah Counter Narcotics Team has
made at least 20 meth-related arrests this year.

That is:

- -- More than double the eight arrests made in all of
2007.

- -- One more arrest than the total in all of 2008.

- -- Eight more than in all of 2009.

CNT Agent Gene Harley said the reason behind the sky-high spike in
arrests is twofold.

First, meth production is moving into Chatham County. Second, CNT
agents are hunting those responsible for running the labs rather than
acting on tips, Harley said.

"We're definitely taking a proactive stance on this," he said. "Rather
than just waiting on information to come in, we're out looking for
them."

A new method in producing the man-made drug known as "cold pack" or
"one pot" has allowed producers to cook it in more urban environments,
mostly in western Chatham County. An older method required more
ingredients. One of them is known as anhydrous ammonia, a fertilizer
normally sold in farming communities.

"That's the reason why meth was a common problem in rural areas
outside of Chatham County," Harley said.

Also, the new method takes up less space and doesn't produce a
distinct, sour odor, he added.

CNT worked closely with agencies in Bryan and Effingham counties that
have people dedicated to combating the drug.

Together, the agencies found several repeat offenders working with
others in small groups. In most cases, users will unite in small
groups, and together they'll gather the ingredients so at least one of
them can make the drug.

The yield from each batch will be enough to sustain the habits of the
group as well as sell enough to buy ingredients for future batches,
Harley said.

Effingham's notoriety continues

Effingham County's rural setting made it a hotbed of meth labs
requiring anhydrous ammonia, but the newer preparation method has
appeared only to fuel meth-related arrests there, said David
Ehsanipoor, spokesman for the county's sheriff's office.

So far this year, Effingham deputies have brought down 20 meth labs,
matching the total for all of 2009. Also this year, deputies have made
50 arrests, just 20 fewer than all of last year, Ehsanipoor said.

"They make it in our county. They always have," he
said.

"They can even make it in a car now if they want."

Ehsanipoor said the effects of the drug spilled over into property
crimes. Many of the county's theft-related cases stem from addicts
clamoring for cash to score drugs.

"People get so desperate for money to purchase or make meth, they'll
steal from their own families - even grandparents - to go pawn them
and buy meth," he said. "It's pretty sad."

Tracking logs

CNT also is dedicating staff and working with other county agencies to
identify people who are buying pseudoephedrine from area pharmacies.
The drug, one of the ingredients of meth, is found in many cold
medications. A law signed by Gov. Sonny Perdue in 2005 requires
pharmacies to closely monitor anyone who purchases the drug by
documenting their identity.

"Working together, we're policing those logs," Harley said. "We can
see who's abusing pseudoephedrine - who's buying it in abundance.

"It more than likely means they're involved in some sort of
methamphetamine trade."

Harley said scanning the logs helps CNT take a more proactive stance
against meth, rather than reacting to the receipt of information on
labs.

The new, portable labs still have hazardous traits, emitting fumes
that can cause harm or death, he said.

Trash from the labs continues to be a problem.

Some producers will simply burn the hazardous byproducts on the
property, while others will make use of a nearby public dumpster. Some
who are too afraid to get caught will merely hide the toxic trash on
their property. And, on more than one occasion, the deadly articles
have gotten into the hands of unsuspecting children, Harley said.

"Each time we go through those meth labs, there's plenty of
precautions we take - certain clothing we have to wear," he said.
"Imagine a baby going through that and not knowing the
difference."

Treatment centers remain quiet

Despite the increase in arrests, treatment centers like the Recovery
Place have yet to see more meth addicts seeking help.

Instead, the Savannah clinic has seen a stark increase in those
addicted to prescription drugs such as Oxycontin.

Other patients have sought help from crack and alcohol, said Leslie
Backus, chief operating officer of the Recovery Place.

"We've seen a slight increase, but the meth community here is still so
small," she said. "The largest increase we've seen are people addicted
to opiates from pharmaceuticals."

Backus added that perhaps once those being arrested for meth-related
offenses are convicted, they'll be ordered to attend treatment.

"I hope they put all the meth labs out of business," she said. "But
for us, it's still small."