STREET TALK

Meth production is increasing, officials say, and it could even be in your
neighborhood

Five children filled Alonzo Gunn's yard in the San Jacinto area.

One on the hip of the oldest, two chasing each other and one hugging Gunn's
leg. None seemed to notice the burned house three doors down.

But Gunn knows it's there, and it serves as a strong reminder of meth's
dangers.

"One morning they opened up the door and smoke was rolling out," he said.

Police said they suspect the Feb. 11 fire in the 800 block of Louisiana
Street was related to the making of methamphetamine, a common occurrence
because of the highly flammable chemicals involved in the process.

Local law enforcement officials say use of the stimulant methamphetamine is
growing as more learn how easy it can be to make and sell.

The drug can be made in trailers with the majority of ingredients found in
grocery stores. The most difficult ingredient to find, anhydrous ammonia, is
often stolen from farms where it is used as fertilizer, police say.

With more manufacturers, or cooks, the probability for danger increases.
"Can you imagine them next door to you, putting together these chemicals
that could make methamphetamine or could make an explosion?" 47th District
Attorney Rebecca King said to a group assembled last week for a seminar on
the effect of meth in Amarillo.

"I can't tell you if it's growing or we're just finding them," she said.
Angela Pearson and her husband, Victor, didn't know anyone was living in the
house police busted last week as a meth lab in the 2400 block of Northwest
Tenth Avenue.

"It's scary cause it's my neighborhood," she said. "There's no telling what
could have happened. It could have blown up."

Angela said she feels better now knowing police have cleaned up the area.

The Pearson's neighbor, Judy Riley, said news of the bust worried her
because of her children, ages 10 and 17.

"I'll talk to my kids," Riley said. "Make them aware of what drugs do and
that it's not good."

Amarillo Cpl. Vern Wilson said neighbors can be on the lookout for several
indicators of meth labs - a strong chemical odor, people coming and going at
all hours but not staying long, large barrels or drums for storing liquids
and people coming outside to smoke.

Anyone suspicious of a home should contact police, Wilson said.

R.D. Lockridge, a neighbor of Gunn's in San Jacinto, said he suspected the
houses were involved in drugs.

"You see people come and go and spend about five to 10 minutes there," he
said. "You kind of get an idea of what's going on. There's not much you can
do about it. It draws all kinds of people and you never know what's going to
come with that."

Lockridge said he worried about people leaving those homes and attacking or
robbing him and his family. His daughter, an Amarillo police officer, would
often stop for lunch and park her patrol car in the neighborhood. Lockridge
said that slowed down drug traffic for a time.

But Lockridge isn't going to move because of a few drugs.

"It makes me wish it had burned down," he said. "I've been here on this
corner for 40 years. I'm not going to let something like that drive me
away."

Across the street, Johnna Wright said she wishes the city would condemn the
houses where drugs were found.

"I think it degrades the neighborhood and I'm afraid for my safety," she
said.

Wright said police patrols and the recent busts make her feel safer.

"I hope they stay gone," she said of the drug dealers.

In addition to neighborhood meth labs, parents should watch their children
for signs of meth use.

Carol Allen, a drug prevention specialist with Amarillo schools, said meth
use often comes after smoking, drinking or using inhalants. Parents should
intervene in the early stages of substance abuse, when children are smoking
cigarettes, instead of waiting for meth use.

Changes in grades, school attendance or behavior can also be indicators of
drug use, she said.

"A parent said to me her son was crazy, he was out of his mind, he was
possessed like he was a wild animal when he was using meth," Allen said.
Terry Easterling with Potter and Randall counties adult probation department
said meth is the first drug tested for because it has become so common.

"Meth is now the most common positive test we have," he said.

And if adults are using, children are often affected.

In addition to dangers of being near the making of meth, users are often
inadequate caregivers, Allen said. Because users are often awake for days
and don't feel hungry, they can forget to feed children or monitor their
behavior as needed.

Charlie McMordie, with Addiction Specialist Group, said families of meth
users should get educated about addiction, and get support for themselves.

"Families have a lot of power if they choose to use it."