NEW LEGISLATION PROVIDES TOOLS TO FIGHT METH ABUSE

Legislation signed into law on Aug. 10 provides Illinois lawmakers with the
tools to combat the growing problem of methamphetamine manufacture and abuse.

State Rep. John Bradley said communities have seen a drastic increase in
meth production and use over the past several years.

"This drug has drained our local judicial, law enforcement and treatment
facilities of time and money," Bradley said. "Senate Bill 562 is designed
to help alleviate the overwhelming burden placed on these groups and create
tougher laws for these criminals."

The Senate bill creates a section of the criminal code specifically for
meth laws, simplifying the investigation and prosecution process for
judges, police officers and prosecutors, and requires mandatory jail time
for criminals manufacturing meth in multi-unit dwellings, such as hotels,
apartment buildings and condominiums.

The law also requires mandatory jail time for criminals who manufacture
meth in a structure or vehicle where a child, disabled person or senior
citizen is located, and makes it a crime to possess anhydrous ammonia or
meth-making materials, including lithium batteries, drain cleaners, starter
fluid, brake cleaner and coolers for the purpose of manufacturing meth. The
bill offers additional provisions such as targeting those who provide
locations to manufacture meth, punishment for those who protect or cover-up
meth production, and those who illegally dispose of meth-manufacturing waste.

The governor also approved Bradley's legislation, House Bill 2411, which
establishes a pilot program at the Franklin County Juvenile Detention Center.

Director of Court Services Jake Seymour said he has been waiting for the
bill to be signed into law for quite some time.

"Last spring, John Bradley helped secure $450,000 to fund the pilot
program," Seymour said. "We have the space but have a tremendous amount of
work ahead of us.

"County Board officials are glad this piece of legislation has been signed
into law because it will help fill the beds at the center," Seymour said.
"The pilot program, co-sponsored by Senator Gary Forby, will provide
treatment for meth addicted juveniles, ages 10 through 16. The juveniles
will be housed in a secure wing of the center." Seymour said the pilot
program would help to fill 10 unused beds.

"We still have to hire and train the staff, which takes time and effort,"
he said. "Those hired will have to have a substance abuse treatment license
and we will be submitting requests for proposals to fill these positions."

Seymour said he attended the methamphetamine conference, held last month at
John A. Logan College, adding he would implement a program already in use
in a California methamphetamine treatment facility.

"I learned a lot by listening to Dr. Alex Stalcup, a California physician
with a long history of treating meth addicted individuals," Seymour said.
"In fact, I learned what I thought I knew is wrong and the types of
treatment being used is not working."

Seymour said it takes longer than 30 days for a meth addict to dry out.
"That is the first step," Seymour said.

"Traditional court-ordered juvenile detention means kids remain in a secure
facility for less than one week. The pilot program will allow us to house
kids for up to 180 days and utilize a research based treatment program. The
first part of the treatment calls for juveniles to be under lock and key
and may require medical treatment.

"Juveniles will be assessed for medical and mental health and their
education level, and that part of the process may require up to 30 days,"
Seymour said.

"After they dry out, juveniles will spend time receiving intensive
treatment from qualified personnel who will talk with them about meth-what
the drug really does to them and why they chose to use it in the first place."

Seymour said he anticipates providing recreational activities for
juveniles, as an alternative to drug use.

"We want to replace their craving with physical activity and may include
art therapy and journal writing," Seymour said. "They will also be in
school five days a week and we have a classroom for them to use.

"As treatment progresses, juveniles will be moved to a staff secure wing
for more treatment," Seymour said. "The kids will be able to leave with
staff members to perform community service work, but they will still be in
class every day and will still undergo treatment."

Seymour said the best part of the treatment will be when they are
reintroduced to their outside environment, but it may also be the scariest
part for the former addicts. "As treatment progresses, the juveniles will
be able to go home for weekend trips, but we will still have the option of
monitoring them electronically," Seymour said.

Seymour said he does not expect a 100 percent success rate.

"Some of these kids will fall off the wagon once they are back in their
environment and start hanging out with their friends," Seymour said. "They
may be influenced to use meth again and meth may even be available in their
own homes if family members use the drug. It is not uncommon for meth
addicts to return to treatment facilities. Temptation is the toughest part
of the battle."

"We will make sure they have a stable place to live and will be drug tested
and counseled on a regular basis," he said.

The meth user trend is changing.

"We are starting to see essentially law-abiding teens experimenting with
meth," Seymour said. "The kids we're seeing aren't your ordinary criminals.
We've seen cheerleaders who just wanted to lose weight and boys who
mistakenly believe that meth is a sex enhancement drug."

Seymour said court officials have seen a 7 percent increase in the number
of juveniles testing positive for meth use within the past year.

Seymour said the goal of beginning the pilot program in late September has
been pushed back.

"Now we expect to have it up and running sometime this fall," Seymour said.
"It depends on when we get the money and how soon we can get the program
lined up after that."