LEGAL GUIDE HELPING IN METH FIGHT

Extensive Manual Gives Police Edge In Cracking Cases

A thick legal reference guide designed to help law enforcement
officers and court personnel deal with the problem of methamphetamine
has been produced by the Institute for Legal and Policy Studies at the
University of Illinois at Springfield.

The guide, described as among the first of its kind, is being made
available free of charge to law enforcement and court personnel.

The guide includes sections describing how methamphetamine, or
"crank," is made, who uses it, the extent of the meth problem in
Illinois, treatment issues, and the laws and regulations that affect
evidence collection.

It also discusses the legal issues that arise in meth cases in
Illinois and how those issues are being handled.

Sangamon County State's Attorney John Schmidt said the guide is a good
idea.

"In my experience, I've seen the prevalence of marijuana, powder
cocaine, crack cocaine and now meth," said Schmidt, whose office was
represented on the advisory committee that helped develop the guide.
"All drugs are devastating, but meth is the most devastating I've
seen. It's just off the charts.

"This resource manual is another excellent tool we have to combat the
problem," he said. "It's more information, and that's what it takes."

The guide is organized into chapters that can be used as the basis for
training modules for law enforcement and court officials. A series of
PowerPoint slides accompanies each chapter. The guide will be
available on Web-based sites, CD-ROM, zip-disk and in hard copy versions.

Carol Esarey, interim director of the Institute for Legal and Policy
Studies at UIS, said the most expensive to produce is the 300-page
hard copy version. There will be several different CD-ROM versions,
including a "first responders" guide that officers can use in their
squad cars.

"There will be an emergency guide for officers who need quick and
dirty information and don't have time to wade through 300 pages," she
said.

Although the guide talks about meth production, it doesn't contain a
recipe for making the highly addictive drug.

"Most of the information in the guide won't be available to the
general public," Esarey said. "The more technical aspects will be
available only through the state police."

A long-term goal for the guide is to provide a foundation for
developing a comprehensive statewide strategy for combating the
problems meth manufacturing and abuse are causing in Illinois, Esarey
said.

"The guide provides an opportunity for law enforcement officers,
prosecutors and judges from counties where meth has been prevalent for
years to share their experience with counties that are just now
beginning to have clandestine lab cases," Esarey said.

Methamphetamine is a powerful stimulant easily made from common
household chemicals. The meth problem is increasing in rural counties
at the same time it is spreading to more urban areas, police say.

One of the first clandestine labs in Illinois was seized in Adams
County in 1996, and the number of lab seizures has increased
dramatically during the past eight years. The attorney general's
office said Illinois State Police seized 24 meth labs in 1997. In
2003, that number increased to more than 1,000.

The precursor chemicals used to make meth are inexpensive, widely
available and difficult to regulate. Anhydrous ammonia, one of the
precursors, if not handled properly, can cause dehydration, cell
destruction, chemical burns and, in extreme cases, death.

Methamphetamine use causes mental confusion, severe anxiety and
paranoia, and the effects often lead to violent behavior, experts say.

In addition to the health risks associated with meth abuse, the
manufacturing process generates harmful chemical vapors and a
significant amount of hazardous waste, which presents a risk of fire
and explosion.

"We're really proud of it," Esarey said of the guide, which took three
years from conception to production.

The institute designed, developed and wrote the guide in partnership
with the Methamphetamine Protocol Advisory Committee under a grant
from the U.S. Department of Justice funded through the Illinois State
Police.

The advisory committee of about 20 people included Illinois
prosecutors, law enforcement officers and representatives from the
Illinois attorney general's office, the Illinois Environmental
Protection Agency and the Illinois Department of Children and Family
Services.

Law enforcement or court personnel may inquire about the availability
of the guide by calling Esarey.