EATON RAPIDS CHIEF: DRUGS HIT HOME

EATON RAPIDS - Parents need to wise up and realize that living in a small
town is no protection from the dangers of substance abuse, Eaton Rapids
Police Chief Paul Malewski says.

In some ways it's just the opposite. For example, methamphetamine - a
highly addictive stimulant that can be made mostly from ingredients sold in
grocery stores - is rapidly spreading to rural areas such as Eaton Rapids.

To get the word out, the police department and the Tri-County Metro
Narcotics Squad are hosting a free seminar Tuesday. They will address the
dangers of all kinds of substance abuse, including using alcohol and
prescription drugs.

"We're going to try to educate parents as to what the trends are," Malewski
said.

"There's always been a drug problem in Eaton Rapids. But now we're seeing
more methamphetamine labs."

In the past year, two meth labs have exploded just outside the city and
three mobile labs were discovered within the city, Malewski said.

Eaton Rapids school officials especially urge parents of elementary age
children to attend Tuesday's seminar, district spokeswoman Linda Kimball said.