SUMMIT AT LACROSSE CENTER TACKLES METH ISSUES

John Zimmerman applauded recent efforts by some retailers to make it more
difficult to obtain large quantities of certain cold and allergy products.

As a sergeant with the La Crosse County Sheriff's Department, Zimmerman
knows products like Sudafed and NyQuil are used to manufacture
methamphetamine. They contain the nasal decongestant pseudoephedrine, a key
ingredient in the drug.

"The more we can take away a piece of the puzzle, the more we can stay
ahead of the game," Zimmerman said.

According to the federal Drug Enforcement Administration, methamphetamine -
often called meth - is a white powder that can be dissolved or shaped into
clear, chunky crystals or small, brightly-colored tablets.

Zimmerman was one of about 40 people who attended a Wisconsin Department of
Justice Methamphetamine Summit at the La Crosse Radisson on Tuesday
organized by Wisconsin Attorney General Peg Lautenschlager.

He also is one of five county law enforcement officials to receive
Clandestine Laboratory Enforcement and Response Team training on how to
safely dismantle meth labs. About 100 city, county and state officials have
received the training.

Cindy Giese, special agent in charge of the Wisconsin Methamphetamine
Initiative, said meth didn't seem like a huge problem in 1999, when only
eight labs were found in Wisconsin. Those numbers have since climbed, she
said, peaking at 112 labs in 2003.

While the problem is not as big as in neighboring states such as Iowa,
where more than 1,300 labs were found last year, labs are turning up
throughout Wisconsin, Giese said. The drug also is coming in from the Twin
Cities and spreading east, he said.

La Crosse County assistant district attorney Todd Bjerke said he has
handled 66 meth cases in the past five years.

The next step for the state is to put in place the Drug Endangered Children
program, said Dave Forsythe, the special agent in charge of the program.

He said the initiative is a cooperative approach to make sure all agencies
- - such as law enforcement, social services and medical services - work
together to rescue and provide long-term support for children found in
areas where illegal substances are produced.

The need is great, he said: Children are exposed to toxins and other
hazards at drug labs, such as weapons and unstable adults. He said about
700 children present in meth labs in 2001 tested positive for toxic levels
of chemicals.

Five Wisconsin counties already have received DEC training. A two-day
training is scheduled for next week in Chippewa Falls; Forsythe said 325
people are signed up with a waiting list.

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WHAT IS METHAMPHETAMINE

A synthetic stimulant that is highly addictive. The drug produces euphoric
effects that can last up to 24 hours. It is inexpensive and relatively east
to produce. It can be injected, smoked, snorted or ingested orally. It is
considered a Schedule II substance under the Controlled Substances Act.

The drug can cause rapid heart rate, increased blood pressure and damage
small blood vessels in the brain, which can lead to stroke. Chronic use can
result in inflammation of the heart lining.

Those who abuse it can also have episodes of violent behavior, paranoia,
anxiety, confusion and insomnia.

Source - National Drug Intelligence Center, a component of the U.S.
Department of Justice

NUMBERS OF METH LABS FOUND IN WISCONSIN

1999 - 8

2000 - 38

2001 - 55

2002 - 84

2003 - 112

2004 - 90

Source - Wisconsin Department of Justice Methamphetamine Initiative