METHAMPHETAMINE: 'IT'S A SERIOUS PROBLEM'

Methamphetamine seen in juvenile, family court system

IONIA, Mich. - A dangerous drug being seen throughout the area is also
being seen in the juvenile and family court system.

Ionia County Board of Commissioners heard of how methamphetamine abuse
is being seen more through the juvenile and family court system at
Tuesday's Committee of the Whole meeting.

"Our juvenile numbers have been going downward over the past few
years," said Ionia County Juvenile and Family Division Judge Robert
Sykes. "The numbers are down and abuse and neglect numbers remain
steady, if not increased over the past few years."

Sykes said that one of the problems that he is seeing come through the
probate court is methamphetamine related issues.

"As (Director of Court Services and Referee Monte Starkweather) said,
who knows what is going to come through the doors," said Sykes. "One
thing that drives me crazy as a judge ... is the meth problem.

"I would venture to guess, half the child protection hearings had some
use of meth. Primarily by the parent, occasionally the children, and
rarely children who are exposed to the meth and tested positive.
Two-year-olds are testing positive because they are in the presence of
the garbage being cooked up."

Sykes explained that he had a case where a child was chemically burned
by leftovers of methamphetamine in a pop bottle.

"It's a serious problem, and I know the legislation is trying to keep
closer tabs on the sale of the (components used in methamphetamine),
but when you react they come up with a different recipe," said Sykes.

Sykes also reported that he is seeing more medical marijuana coming up
in child protection hearings and in juvenile court.

Sykes said that he had a case that involved a 15-year-old who was in
front of the court for possession, and told the court that he had a
medical marijuana card.

"I'm also seeing it in child protection hearings where parents are
coming in with medical marijuana cards and they think it gives them
authority to smoke it in front of their kids," said Sykes. "As a
system, we have to come up with a policy to measure THC levels to find
what is an acceptable level to have in your system to treat your
condition. We have people coming in with levels so high ... it's
unbelievable."

Ionia County Health Department Health Officer and Director Lisa
McCafferty explained the health risks of using methamphetamine, and
why it is being used and manufactured in the area.

"It's cheap, readily available and anyone can make it," said
McCafferty. "Ionia is in proximity to two large areas. (Manufacturers)
make it here where it is rural and not as readily observed, but can
sell it (in Lansing and Grand Rapids)."

McCafferty explained that methamphetamine has long-term effects on the
brain and rots away teeth.

"It's very nasty stuff," said McCafferty. "It will rot your face,
(users) don't have teeth. It's very visible and it is highly
addictive. It's not like quitting smoking. Meth is very hard to kick."

Also at the meeting, commissioners were able to aske questions about
how Ionia County's Land Bank is used.

Commissioners Larry Tiejema and James Lower asked Ionia County
Treasurer Nancy Hickey about how the county's land bank receives
funds, and how foreclosed properties become listed to be demolished.

"We have had a couple individuals who are opposed to taking down homes
opposed to the market price," said Tiejema. "The $15,000 (in the Land
Bank Fund), is that fund used to demolish, or is that another fund?
I'm just wondering where the money comes from."

Hickey explained that the city of Ionia pays for properties within the
city to be demolished, and two properties in townships that the land
bank is not paying for.

"The land bank is for the parcels that didn't sell last year, they
were moved into the land bank and that is where we acquired that
money," said Hickey. "Hopefully there are more this year. We are not
in a position to be spending money. Any parcels sold we will be able
to capture one-half of the taxes for five years."

Hickey explained that the $15,000 in the Land Bank Fund is used to
maintain the parcels and maintenance items.

"We have to maintain the ones we have," said Hickey. "Mow the grass,
snow, that sort of thing. That is what we are spending it on."

Hickey explained that the treasurer's department will go look at the
houses to see what kind of repairs need to be made, if any, and
determine if the structure should be demolished. One of the houses
that was demolished has been condemned by the Ionia County Health
Department.

Before the parcel is sent to the land bank, it first goes through a
public auction, where the price is based on the parcel's delinquent
tax.

Hickey said that the idea of tearing down the structures is to improve
Ionia County.

"The goal to tear them down is to improve them," said Hickey. "We
(Hickey and Ionia City Manager Jason Eppler) discussed them, and the
idea being they need to make some improvements. There are a lot of
houses for sale. We tore these six houses down."

Also at the meeting, commissioners heard reports from resource
recovery and soil conservation, and building codes.