ROTARY LEARNS ABOUT METH LAB PROBLEMS IN THE COUNTY

As Pat Gabriel, president of the Southwest Rotary Club, introduced the
guest speaker for the week, she challenged everyone to "get off on some of
the side roads, turn on some of the dirt roads and see what is right out in
our very own back yards. We have homeless children, we've got meth labs,
and we have got things happening right underneath our own noses, in our own
neighborhoods, that we are not even aware of." Which is why D.J. Medlin of
the Sheriff's Office was asked to the breakfast meeting on Aug. 23, to
inform members and guests of the growing number of methamphetamine labs in
Marion County.

Medlin has been with the Sheriff's Office for 12 years and is a part of the
Multi Agency Drug Enforcement Team. "The biggest issue facing law
enforcement and the biggest problem we are having in Florida right now are
these meth labs. Even though prescription drugs are still the number-one
used drug in the nation, meth is by far the worst drug out there right
now." he said.

There are several issues that come to mind and must be dealt with, such as
the effects it has on the individual using the drug and the effect it has
on the environment. The ingredients that go into the production of meth are
all toxic. There is an abundance of toxic waste that contaminates the
environment, not only making the area unsafe for the people in the
community, but endangers the law enforcement officers that investigate the
labs.

The most common local method of methamphetamine production is the anhydrous
ammonia process, meaning ammonia without water. "Some of the ingredients
that go into these methods are incredible," he said. Medlin went on to
state that over-the-counter cold medicines, ephedrine or pseudoephedrine,
hydrochloric acid, drain cleaner, battery acid and anti-freeze are among
the most common ingredients that are used.

"The other danger to law enforcement that we have to deal with is the
individual that uses the methamphetamine drug." They suffer from extreme
paranoia, hallucinations, and aggressiveness. "Nine times out of ten, we
are either going to have to fight them or chase them, and they are so
paranoid that they usually have some type of weapon."

The people who produce the meth will quite often "booby trap" the lab."
Medlin described a lab in a garage in Lake County that had been rigged with
a double barrel shotgun, wired to shoot should someone other than the owner
try to open the garage door.

"This is worse than crack, the drug that was used in the 1980s. Everyone
thought that it couldn't get any worse, well it got worse with this
methamphetamine," Medlin said. The addiction of crack for first time users
was an astonishing 50 to 60 per cent. But first time users of meth become
addicted 80 per cent of the time. "This is what we are dealing with today."

The dangers to the community and law enforcement officers are endless. "We
must use personal protective equipment, which are respirators and a
protective suit, before we approach an area that is suspected as a meth lab."

"There is no way to decontaminate the trailers, sheds, barns and hotels, or
any building that is used when processing the drug. It stays a hazardous
environment forever." Medlin explained that in the production of one ounce
of the methamphetamine drug, six to seven pounds of toxic waste is left behind.

Warning signs to look for in an individual that might be producing and
using the methamphetamine drug are "meth mouth" or loss of teeth, sores
around the mouth, sunken eyes, extreme weight loss, and scabs or cuts on
the body due to continuous scratching from damaged nerve endings that
tingle. Track marks will be seen if the drug is injected.

In the past the Midwest was the area that the methamphetamine labs were
found most often. But the problem is growing and is now surfacing in our
area. Last year six meth labs were found in Marion County.

There have already been 30 labs discovered this year. "It is going to be a
big problem," Medlin said. "The age group that is involved varies but most
of the use is contained to the white community."

Medlin stated that there is not a big problem in the Corridor, however the
Florida Highlands area could have become a problem if the code enforcement
laws had not been enforced as quickly as they were. Abandoned buildings and
homes were sited for code enforcements and the area was cleaned up before
the "attractive nuisances" made the area vulnerable.

Medlin said that the Forest and Wiersdale areas have possible meth lab
activity. Those areas were also being looked at with the same code
enforcement laws that Florida Highlands used.

"It's coming. It hasn't got here full force yet, but it's on its way. It is
not real complex (to) "cook," or difficult to make the drugs. It can be
done with a stove and a Pyrex pan." Medlin said of the people who produce
the drug.

There is new legislation coming in which may regulate the packages of cold
tablets, a pre cursor in producing the meth drug, that limits the buyer to
purchase only three packages at a time. Currently there is a store in Lake
County that will sell the cold remedy tablets by the case.

The life expectancy of a meth "cook" is only three to five years. He
usually will have a stroke or heart attack. The effects of the drug are
similar to heroin, only intensified.

As the Rotary Club members digested the breakfast and the message delivered
by J.D. Medlin, it was clear that the Club wanted to stay informed and help
in anyway they can. Mike Williams, Rotary Club member, summed it up when he
stated, "We need to take care of the people first and then we will wipe out
the meth labs."