SERIES TO ADDRESS METH PROBLEM IN COUNTY

PLYMOUTH - In 2005, 52 methamphetamine drug labs were seized in
Marshall County. As a result, the county was ranked fifth highest in
the state in lab seizures, according to the Indiana State Police.

That number is not getting any lower, said Randy Dickson, member of
the LCC, the Local Coordinating Council for Drug-Free Marshall County.

To combat the meth epidemic consuming the community, the LCC has
developed a two-part meth series titled "The Cost of Meth." The
topics will pertain to how the growing meth problem has affected and
will continue to plague Marshall County individuals and the community.

Part one, the Cost of Meth -Individual Impacts, will kick off on
Tuesday, April 25 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Christo's Banquet Center, 830
Lincolnway East, Plymouth.

Part two, the Cost of Meth -Community Impacts, will follow, same
time, same place, one week later on Tuesday, May 2.

For both events, doors will open and refreshments will be served at 5:30 p.m.

"Anybody that cares about the kids in our community should come,"
said Brandy Wright, LCC chair. "It's not a matter of if it's going to
affect my kids anymore. It's when it's going to affect my kids."

At a recent meth bust right here in Marshall County, a three-year old
in the house tested positive for meth, she said. "Statistics more and
more are starting to show a negative impact on the kids," she added.

The series is especially important for teenagers and their parents,
said Dickson. Meth is becoming a more prevalent drug among teens.

"Parents are thinking their kids might be drinking beer or smoking
marijuana and that they would never try meth," he said. "They are
ignoring what could be a life-threatening issue for their children."

The series is not just directed towards children. Anybody and
everybody in the county should attend, said Dickson.

"For every one meth bust you hear about in the newspaper, there are
15 more out there," said Wright. "They could be your neighbors. They
probably are your neighbors."

Workshop one will focus on the basics of the drug, including the
production methods and how and why it works as a stimulant. Experts
will also talk about the use and abuse of the drug by individuals.

Don McCay, Jason Faulstich and Mark Senter with the Indiana State
Police will discuss the statistics of meth in Indiana and Marshall
County, and how citizens can respond to the problem.

During workshop two, community officials will touch on how meth
affects children, the environment and businesses in the county. They
will end the session by discussing the impact on the legal system and
how meth users are treated for their addiction.

Each evening will end with a panel discussion and a question and
answer session with the audience.

"I believe we have the best speakers in the state. It's going to be
very interactive," said Wright. "We've covered all the areas, from
professionals to a former meth user and the parent of a user. It will
be easy for the audience to relate to the situation."

On average, when people get involved with meth, they have three years
to get treatment, get put in jail, or die, she added.

This is the first time a county-wide public meeting about a drug
problem has been held, said Dickson. "Statistics are showing us that
meth is a problem we cannot ignore," he said. "From a culture
standpoint, meth is different from any other drug, from crack or
cocaine. We can make it ourselves, and that is scary."