OFFICIALS: METH IS A SERIOUS THREAT TO KIDS

In the whirlwind of drug busts, arrests and convictions that surround
methamphetamines in Shelby County, consideration for one group of
people has been brushed under the rug: children.

According to law enforcement officials from Alabama and Shelby
County, children often fall victims to abuse and neglect because of a
relative's involvement with the creation and trafficking of methamphetamine.

"Children are being held hostage in the midst of toxic chemicals and
dangerous criminals," Alabama Attorney General Troy King said.
"Alabama is suffering the tragic results of the rampant illegal
mixing of hazardous substances to create methamphetamine."

Shelby County Sheriff Chris Curry agreed with King, saying he
believes children are often overlooked as victims of meth crimes.

"What we're seeing with meth arrests in the county is that children
are being exposed to highly volatile chemicals," he said.

Curry said that the first methamphetamine case he was involved with
in the county was a perfect example of how often children fall victim
to the drug.

"The meth lab that we broke up was located on the kitchen counter of
a home in Calera," Curry said. "There were children living in the
home as well and their breakfast was lying on the counter alongside
the lab materials."

Curry said that in addition to being exposed to dangerous chemicals,
many children are abused and mistreated as a result of a family
member using the drug.

"Many people who manufacture methamphetamines are also users," he
said. "Using meth can result in bizarre behavior and paranoia that
can put a child near that person in danger."

The Alabama state legislature voted in May to restrict the
distribution of ephedrine and pseudoephedrine, over-the-counter
medications that can be used to create meth, in hopes that such a law
will help in the battle to rid the state of the drug. Alongside the
pharmacy bill, Attorney General King also hoped to pass a bill that
would crack down on people who put children in harm's way. The bill
failed to pass, however.

"I regret that the legislature did not pass the bill that would have
given tougher penalties for endangering children through exposure to
methamphetamine labs," King said. "I promise the families of Alabama
that I will lead law enforcement in using tools that we have to fight
against the proliferation of methamphetamines and meth-related crimes."