METH MAKES A COMEBACK IN DICKINSON AREA

The Amount of Methamphetamine in the Area Is on the Rise, According To
the Southwest Narcotics Task Force.

Because of the nature of their work, three SWNTF officers who were
interviewed by The Press asked that their names not be used.

"I think the amount of money that's in the area now, that's what's
making the meth come back," a task force officer said.

Officers said they are still finding prescription drugs, which has
been an issue for several years, but that meth is now more prevalent.

There aren't many people cooking meth in the area. Instead, it is
being driven into the state and is also showing up in the mail,
officers said.

Area police and sheriff departments forward most of their cases
involving drugs to the SWNTF.

"We're working together with local law enforcement agencies along with
the Southwest Narcotics Task Force," said Stark County Sheriff
Clarence Tuhy. "We're all working together because nobody's got the
personnel that they can dedicate just for drugs."

Marijuana continues to be the most prevalent drug in the area,
according to SWNTF.

"With Montana being legalized for medical use, that's pretty much all
we're seeing is the medical marijuana," a task force officer said.

Medical marijuana is more potent, he added.

There has also been a spike in what is referred to as synthetic
marijuana, which is also known as K2, spice and spark, according to
SWNTF.

Synthetic marijuana is often packaged as bath salts, aroma therapy and
tobacco products, officers said. The chemicals put into the products
give users a high similar to marijuana, although it is not the same
chemical found in marijuana, according to SWNTF.

In 2010, the SWNTF had one case of synthetic marijuana and this year
there have been at least six, officers said.

The synthetic marijuana is risky, they added, since consumers don't
know what they're putting into their body, how much they are doing or
how it's going to mix with prescribed medications or other illicit
drugs.

There is usually more than one crime taking place when people are
caught with drugs, such as burglaries and domestic violence, officers
said.

"Anytime you've got drugs and alcohol involved, you start doing stupid
things," Stark County Sheriff Clarence Tuhy said. "With the drugs
especially, they need the money to buy it and they're going to get the
money."

SWNTF officers feel the amount of cases they have outweighs the area's
recent population increase.

"Our cases this month have already doubled last month," a SWNTF
officer said.

However, the majority of the cases involve people who were raised in
the area or have been here for several years.