STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL WILL TALK ABOUT DRUG EPIDEMIC DURING VISIT

A boom in the number of meth labs in western North Carolina has attracted
the attention of state Senator Joe Sam Queen and Attorney General Roy Cooper.

The two will visit McDowell County Thursday to discuss how to help law
enforcement officers crack down on the meth makers. They'll speak at the
Marion Rotary Club at noon and at the McDowell Technical Community College
auditorium from 2 to 4 p.m.

"Meth is an extremely addictive and hazardous drug that threatens our
communities in new ways," said Queen, D-Haywood, who invited Cooper to the
area and arranged the talks. "Our law enforcement officers need modern
tools to fight these new dangers, and our state needs tough penalties for
those who put our children and communities at risk."

Thus far, 2004 has seen 12 labs in McDowell, doubling 2003's total of six.

Queen invited law enforcement officials, Department of Social Services
employees, firefighters, first responders, school personnel and civic and
business leaders from all the counties in Senate District 47, which
includes Avery, Haywood, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell and Yancey counties.
The public is invited to attend the symposium, "The Community's Role in
Combating the Methamphetamine Epidemic," at MTCC.

"Finding ways to crack down on this dangerous drug requires all of us to
work together," Queen stated. "I hope everyone who cares about our children
and our communities will attend this important meeting."

With the 2004 legislative session beginning May 10, Queen has been working
with Cooper on a proposal to strengthen criminal penalties for meth
"cookers," or manufacturers.

Last year, officers dismantled 177 labs throughout North Carolina -
compared to nine labs in 1999 - and removed 69 children from the cooking
facilities. In 2003, 27 first responders were injured from exposure to
toxic fumes and flames from meth labs, according to a press release from
Queen's office.

The release also stated that, for every pound of meth produced, 5 to 7
pounds of toxic byproducts result. Meth producers often dump the waste into
area sewers and water systems.

Meth labs are also prone to fires, explosions and contamination from
cooking the toxic chemicals.