OFFICERS ARMED WITH INFORMATION ON MAKING OF METHAMPHETAMINE

RUSSELLVILLE - Curtis Burns said it's important for law enforcement to get
as much training on methamphetamine as possible.

That's the reason Burns, the director of the Colbert County Drug Task
Force, and other members of his department were in Russellville earlier in
the week for a meth awareness class.

"Meth is a growing problem, and we're trying to learn as much as we can
about this drug," Burns said. "Classes like these are very informative and
very important in helping us do our job better."

More than 60 state, federal and local law enforcement officers from
throughout the state attended the seminar, which was sponsored by the
Franklin County Sheriff's Office.

"The class gave the officers a general overview on methamphetamine and the
manufacturing process," said instructor Greg Pinkard, an investigator with
the sheriff's department. Pinkard is a certified federal homeland security
instructor and certified instructor in methamphetamine.

"Since 1993, meth usage has increased over 2,000 percent in the United
States," Pinkard told the group. "In the last two years, that's double.
It's a growing problem."

During the course of the daylong seminar, Pinkard went over, in detail, the
different variety of ingredients that go into the manufacturing of the
illegal substance.

He also talked about the times of cooking operations and the danger that
these operations present.

"When you start mixing the different types of ingredients and chemicals, it
can be volatile," Pinkard said.

He said there are more than 400 different types of chemicals and
ingredients that can be purchased to make meth.

"These labs are dangerous; not only can they explode and catch on fire, but
they also give off a deadly, poisonous gas," Pinkard told the officers.
"When you find a lab, secure the suspects and call the DEA to come in and
clean it up."

He said the cleanups must be done by certified personnel because of the
handling of hazardous material.

The group also got a brief overview from Assistant Franklin County District
Attorney Joey Rushing about the laws relating to manufacturing methamphetamine.

He stressed the importance of being precise and being thorough when making
manufacturing cases.

"The more elements you have to show a suspect's intent to manufacture meth,
it goes a long way in making a better case," Rushing said.

He said the district attorney's office is seeing more and more cases
involving the manufacture of meth.

"We saw this problem with meth coming two years ago," said Franklin County
Sheriff Larry Plott. "At that time, we didn't know what to expect, and it's
not as bad here as in some places, but we're seeing our share of it. One
lab is too many as far as we're concerned.

"Meth is an increasing concern, and that's why we felt this type of seminar
was important to share information with other law enforcement agencies.

"The best deterrent is to let people know that something is being done and
to educate law enforcement on the drug. We want to try and get a handle on
this problem before it gets out of control."

Burns said he's not seeing many meth operations in Colbert County.

"We want to be prepared and be educated so we'll know more what we're
dealing with when and if the problem does materialize in our county," Burns
said. "That's why education programs like this are so valuable to law
enforcement. The more we know, the more prepared we can be."