AUTHORITIES TRYING TO KEEP METH LABS OUT OF AREA

Local law enforcement agencies are teaming up to fight the possible
intrusion of methamphetamine labs currently causing havoc in southern West
Virginia.

"It is a huge problem for the southern part of the state and we will do all
we can to try to prevent it from coming into Mineral County. Almost
everyone involved in law enforcement has or will be receiving training
because the meth problem is not something we want to get caught by surprise
on," Mineral County Prosecuting Attorney Lynn Nelson said.

Serving the county for the last 17 years, Nelson said he has seen the drug
trade begin with marijuana and has since moved on to more severe drugs like
"crystal meth."

"It transitioned from marijuana and cocaine in the 1980s to crack in the
early 1990s. Then it changed to heroine when the year 2000 rolled in. The
next foreseeable problem is people coming in from bigger cities like
Morgantown, Hagerstown and Baltimore and trying to establish meth labs
here. One meth lab was found in both Hampshire and Hardy counties already,"
he said.

Nelson stated the meth problem has grown so out of control in southern West
Virginia that it is even getting its hooks into the most unsuspecting person.

"I've talked to other prosecutors around the state and they tell me that it
is being used by all social classes, even soccer moms. It gives the user
unlimited amounts of energy," he said.

Mineral County Sheriff Gary White said his department recently received a
grant to fund overtime for deputies who are taking part in a "Meth Watch
Program."

"The grant will provide overtime funding for the deputies who will be
involved in the program and materials that will be distributed to local
retailers regarding the ingredients being sold to make the drug meth,"
White said.

Nelson said over-the-counter medications containing pseudoephedrine or
ephedrine are being broken down and mixed with solvents like paint thinner,
lighter fluid and gasoline and then cooked with other hazardous materials
to make the meth.

"What seems to happen is the people making the meth are using
highly-flammable ingredients. The makers usually end up blowing themselves
up," he said.

Nelson said the manufacturers are going to the extreme of attempting to
"cook up" in the trunk of their cars.

"I don't want to see a car driving down our streets blowing up and risking
lives because the person is cooking in their car," he declared.

Nelson said law enforcement in southern West Virginia has also been faced
with a lot of abuse and neglect cases stemming from the production, sale
and use of meth.

"They have taken kids away from parents who are cooking this stuff in the
kitchen around their children," he said.

It also causes a potential danger to officers who find a meth lab,
according to Nelson.

"They have to call a hazmat team to come in and clean everything up. Law
enforcement can't enter the area even if something is cooking. They usually
condemn a house after it has been used as a meth lab," Nelson said.

"It is also dangerous for EMS personnel and firefighters," White said.

Nelson felt easy money is what lures "your everyday Joe" to manufacture meth.

"They can get $150 worth of everyday ingredients and make $1,500 in
return," he said.

The grant given to the Sheriff's Department was provided by the Consumer
Healthcare Products Association in Washington, D.C., and the program will
begin on May 1, according to White.

"The goal of this program is to educate the retailer and citizens of the
dangers of this drug, the dangers of meth labs and to reduce the use of
this dangerous drug," he said.

"Those involved in this illegal operation are going to know that they are
being watched and information on what they are purchasing is going to be
reported to the police."

The program will also be used to inform children, businesses and the
general public about the dangers of methamphetamines.

"We will be using displays and public relations information to raise
awareness of the problem and to deter theft of pseudoephedrine and other
products that may be used to make the drug," White said.

White stated that the grant will be received in about a week and will be
turned over the the County Commission to adminster.

"Anyone who has questions regarding the program or a presentation do not
need to hesitate to ask, they may contact me at 788-0341 or 788-0441," he said.