WORKSHOP ON METH HAS LOW ATTENDANCE

Low attendance at a methamphetamine workshop Thursday
indicates the community may not yet be concerned about the threat the
drug poses to Pitt County, an area health official says.

"The presentations were very good; the attendance was not," said Dr.
David Ames, chairman of The Pitt County Substance Abuse Coalition.
"People really need to know what this is all about. Unfortunately, we
didn't quite get the participation we were looking for."

Coalition officials distributed about 700 flyers to individuals and
businesses, but only 12 people showed up for "Is There A Meth Lab
Cookin' In Your Neighborhood?" at the Eastern Area Health Education
Center near Pitt County Memorial Hospital.

Pharmacists, agricultural supply store operators, home repairmen and
social workers - those who make house calls and sell the legal
ingredients needed to make the drug - were among the targeted
audience. The workshop was sponsored by the Area Health Education
Center, Pitt County Sheriff's Office and the Pitt County Health Department.

"I think we're ahead of the curve and people don't recognize the
issue," Ames said. "But from what we know, they do need to worry about
it. "

Residue left from the manufacture of the drug is so toxic, officials
often condemn the homes in which meth labs are found, Ames said. The
drug also can leave permanent effects on the user, undermining his
mental health and possibly leaving him paranoid and psychotic, Ames
said.

"It's much more dangerous than cocaine because cocaine for the most
part doesn't produce permanent brain damage, not as profound as meth
does," Ames said.

Det. T.S. O'Neal from the Pitt County Sheriff's Office gave a
PowerPoint presentation showing what people may find in a meth lab -
items like flasks sitting on top of stoves, agricultural chemicals and
propane tanks.

The coalition is concentrating on hiring an executive director and
implementing substance abuse initiatives, Ames said. No additional
workshops are planned.