CRACKING DOWN ON METHAMPHETAMINE

The Caldwell County Sheriff's Office is reporting a tremendous increase in
drug violations involving methamphetamine this year and is looking for ways
to rein in this problem in Caldwell County.

"Our office has had more methamphetamine violations by June of this year
than was reported during the entire year of 2003. We have had five N.C.
State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) Clandestine Laboratory Response team
responses already this year, as opposed to zero last year. This drug is
moving into our county quickly, and we are working hard to keep it out,"
stated Caldwell County Sheriff Gary Clark.

Detective Sgt. Chris Hatton of the Sheriff's Office said one thing that was
done was to look at what other counties and agencies are doing to help keep
methamphetamine out of their communities. Many counties have been successful
in prosecuting these types of drug violations in federal court, he said.

"Caldwell County Sheriff's Office narcotics officers have participated in
meetings with other county's narcotics officers, agents from the SBI,
federal agents with Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms and the U.S. Attorney's
Office," stated Hatton.

Hatton said the Sheriff's Office plans to begin prosecuting many
methamphetamine cases in the federal judicial system. In many cases, those
convicted of manufacturing and dealing methamphetamine get tougher sentences
in federal courts than in state courts, he said.

"We look forward to the possibility of these meth cookers and dealers being
prosecuted in the federal court system. We also hope for and look forward to
stronger state laws to enforce against these types of criminals," stated
Clark

Hatton said people involved in methamphetamine are many times a circle or
ring of associates.

"One of these individuals learns how to use or cook meth and tells their
associates. These circles or rings usually consist of cookers, dealers and
users. The cookers make their money cooking the meth and selling their
finished product," stated Hatton. "The dealers make their money by buying
the cooked methamphetamine and selling it to the users. We are going to
disrupt these circles or rings of co-conspirators."

Clark is calling his plan to disrupt the methamphetamine trade the "Who's
Next Campaign."

"We are going to identify these violators, investigate their activities,
arrest them for their crimes and prosecute them in state and federal
courts," Clark said.

Hatton said Sheriff's Office narcotics detectives have executed many
searches and conducted many interviews of people involved with this drug.
Beginning this week, they'll start making arrests. He said the question for
someone involved with methamphetamine in Caldwell County will be: "Are me or
one of my associates next?"

Hatton said the Sheriff's Office and the Lenoir Police Department are always
in search of any information involving the use and distribution of
controlled substances. He said those with information concerning illegal
drug activity in Caldwell County should call the Sheriff's Office at (828)
759-1522, the Narcotics Division of the Lenoir Police Department at (828)
757-2145 or Caldwell County Crimestoppers at (828) 758-8300.

"A concerned citizen's information and assistance will be kept
confidential," Hatton said.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), methamphetamine is
an addictive stimulant drug that strongly activates certain systems in the
brain. Methamphetamine is closely related chemically to amphetamine, but the
central nervous system effects of methamphetamine are greater. Both drugs
have some medical uses, primarily in the treatment of obesity, but their
therapeutic use is limited.

Methamphetamine is made in illegal laboratories and has a high potential for
abuse and dependence. Street methamphetamine is referred to by many names,
such as speed, meth and chalk. Methamphetamine hydrochloride, clear chunky
crystals resembling ice, which can be inhaled by smoking, is referred to as
ice, crystal and glass, states NIDA.

Methamphetamine releases high levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine, which
stimulates brain cells, enhancing mood and body movement. It also appears to
have a neurotoxic effect, damaging brain cells that contain dopamine and
serotonin, another neurotransmitter. Over time, methamphetamine appears to
cause reduced levels of dopamine, which can result in symptoms like those of
Parkinson's disease, a severe movement disorder.

Methamphetamine can be swallowed, snorted or injected intravenously,
according to NIDA. Immediately after smoking or intravenous injection, the
methamphetamine user experiences an intense sensation that lasts only a few
minutes and is described as extremely pleasurable. Swallowing or snorting
the drug produces euphoria, a high, but not a rush. Users may become
addicted quickly and use it with increasing frequency and in increasing
doses.