SLAYING UNDERSCORES COUNTY METH ISSUE

Sean Bret Rounsville started to do methamphetamine and went down a
path that cost him his life.

"He was a free spirit," said best friend and cousin Jeff Wells at
Rounsville's funeral Monday afternoon.

The 21-year-old diabetic had a great sense of humor, and he was a
soldier at heart, Wells said.

But then he got into drugs six years ago and couldn't recover despite
his family's repeated efforts.

"Everybody told Sean time and again what his lifestyle was leading
to," Wells said outside the Bobbitt Memorial Chapel in San Bernardino.

But things took a turn for the worse for Rounsville.

Monday, the Rev. Keith Whitehouse consoled Rounsville's family who saw
him struggle with meth over the years.

"I know it's difficult and our hearts are wrenching and we don't know
how life will ever be quite the same again, but this is where I
believe God comes in," Whitehouse said during the service.

Sheriff's officials learned Rounsville was missing March 6. His body
was found April 22 in Redlands.

The family believes that Rounsville was killed because he started to
sell meth to support his habit and wouldn't pay "taxes" to gang
members to sell it in their territory.

Police searched two homes on Cole Avenue in Highland and arrested
Steven Gregory Martin, 21, and Yolanda Marie Trivizo, 23, on suspicion
of conspiracy, and kidnapping and killing Rounsville.

But Rounsville was not alone in his struggle with meth.

The drug is a huge problem in San Bernardino County, says Karen Kane,
program manager for the county's Alcohol and Drug Services
Administration.

"There's a tremendous amount of meth created in this county," she
said.

Substance abusers seeking treatment for meth and other drugs has
risen, a report published by the state Department of Alcohol and Drug
Programs said.

Between 1996 and 2000, those seeking treatment for meth increased from
2,002 to 2,386, and treatment for drugs in general rose from 5,213 to
5,948 in that period.

That same report noted that felony drug-related arrests among adults
increased from 8,261 to 8,753 between 1996 and 2000. Misdemeanor
drug-related arrests among adults went from 6,639 to 7,052 during that
time.

For those suffering from drug abuse, Kane said help is available even
for those without medical insurance.

People can call the county's alcohol and drug services at (909)
387-0480 for a referral. The county contracts with different medical
providers and can arrange for people to see someone locally.

"Not having money, not having insurance is not a deterrent. Services
are provided on a sliding fee scale," she said.

Although his cousin never seemed to stick with rehabilitation
programs, Wells said Monday he hopes those with drug problems not only
get help, but find faith and purpose.

"When someone has no purpose, what do they really care? They live a
risquAP life," he said.