AID GROUPS SEEING MORE METH USERS

Most poor people aren't methamphetamine addicts, but meth users become poor
thanks to the stranglehold of the drug.

"If you become a full-fledged addict, it consumes your life," said Salem
Police Chief Walt Myers.

On Monday, Myers spoke with representatives of local food pantries, youth
shelters, domestic violence programs and other organizations that help
folks in need.

Those agencies are seeing more meth users and "tweakers" -- people who are
strung out, paranoid, twitchy and with sores from the highly addictive
stimulant.

Dena Smith, coordinator of June's Kid Closet-Baby Bank in Philomath, said
she comes across meth users almost daily. It's a frustrating situation for
her because she wants to help out the addict's family.

"You try really hard to stay focused that your services are for the
children," she said.

Meth use happens at all income and age levels, Myers said. He added that
he's seen people start using the drug from age 8 to 77.

Salem is in the midst of investigating allegations that middle-school girls
traded sex for methamphetamine. Children, even babies, can be victims of
meth, Myers said.

Kids who live in houses where meth is cooked often test positive for the
drug due to their exposure. And 70 percent of the 7,000 children in foster
care in Oregon are there because of the impacts of methamphetamine, Myers said.

Myers also said Oregon and the United States need to do more to fight
narcotics, especially methamphetamine, and that the majority of meth comes
from across the border in Mexico and Canada.

About 40 people from organizations in Benton and Linn counties attended
Myers' talk.

A representative of Benton County's Oregon Meth Watch program also was at
the meeting, and offered to provide the aid organizations with Meth Watch kits.