METHAMPHETAMINE TOWN HALL MEETING PLANNED IN MEADE

Meade County Living

According to the National Drug Intelligence Center, "Methamphetamine is a
principal drug threat to Kansas, primarily because of the drug's ready
availability as well as the violence and environmental harm that often
result from its production and abuse. The number of methamphetamine
laboratories seized in Kansas has more than quadrupled and many law
enforcement agencies report that they are witnessing an adverse
environmental impact from the presence of methamphetamine laboratories."

The problem may only get worse as surrounding states enact tougher
restrictions on the sale of ingredients that are needed to produce
methamphetamine.

Recent legislation in Oklahoma restricting the sale of psuedoephedrine
products may push production out of that state and into border counties of
surrounding states. Psuedoephedrine is a key ingredient used to produce
methamphetamine. Oklahoma law restricts the sale of Sudafed and other
pseudoephedrine based products. Such products are now limited to sale by
pharmacists and no longer remain on the shelves of convenience and variety
stores.

The Border County Initiative is geared toward raising the awareness of
retailers, law enforcement and citizens to the potential increase in the
establishment of meth labs in counties near the Oklahoma border. Southwest
Kansas Regional Prevention Center has scheduled a town hall meeting in
Meade County on February 8 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Lakeway
Hotel in Meade. This meeting will provide an opportunity for people to
learn about methamphetamine and the problems caused by the production of
use of the drug.

Lois Limes, director of Southwest Kansas Regional Prevention Center, will
provide Meade County statistics on arrests and crimes related to
methamphetamine use, the result of local student surveys of use and
attitudes toward drug use and the environmental impact of meth lab waste
and cleanup. She says that retailers attending the meeting will be given
Meth Watch Kits, which include a training video and other tools to help in
gaining the support of employees in preventing the theft or purchase of
products and materials that could be used in the production of
methamphetamine. Similar town hall meetings will also be held in other
southwestern Kansas communities.

There is no charge for the meeting and lunch will be provided. Please
contact Lois Limes by email lois.limes@gcccks.edu or call 620 276-9624 to
RSVP. The last day to register is February 4.