REGION RALLYING AGAINST METH: GIBSON

The meth drug problem in the Upper Cumberland area is a challenging
problem, but it can be overcome, says District Attorney Bill Gibson. As
grant funds flow in for more training and as public awareness of the
dangerous drug grows, the battle "can and will be won," Gibson said recently.

"I can tell you the troops are rallying on this problem, and the people of
the Upper Cumberland are just not going to be overtaken by it, even though
fighting it is a big challenge."

He was talking about the subject after a recent training session held here
in Cookeville for law officers from all over this judicial district,
sponsored by the TBI, the DA's office, the Drug Task Force, and the Dept.
of Children's Services.

The training was provided by National Environmental Services, a California
company recognized as the leading authority on how to safely process meth labs.

A total of 44 law officers from this district -- some from every police
department and sheriff's department in seven counties -- came to Cookeville
to attend the training exercises aimed at improving the handling of meth cases.

After completing the training, the 44 law officers received official
certification which signifies they are qualified to safely enter meth lab
scenes and properly secure evidence.

That training will mean improved safety for officers and others at meth
scenes, less delay in working the cases, and better chances of successful
prosecution, DA Gibson said.

The training session is one of the programs created by the Stop Meth Abuse
in Rural Tennessee program, funded by a $500,000 grant received here last year.

The SMART program is aimed at fighting the meth problem on all levels, not
just through apprehension and prosecution but also through prevention by
education and awareness.

"Meth is more a regional drug problem in this country right now," DA Gibson
said. "It seems to plague small rural areas especially, probably because
it's a homemade drug -- people learn from other people how to 'cook' it.
And that makes it so different from imported drugs like cocaine."

Law officers trying to fight the problem need all the training they can
get, and some of the smaller law enforcement agencies might never have been
able to afford such training without the SMART program, he said.

One characteristic which makes the meth problem difficult is that offenders
are almost always users, and the use of the synthetic drug can cause
hyperactivity, sleeplessness, and paranoia. Users can be very dangerous to
themselves and to others.

Also, meth and its ingredients can emit dangerous and explosive fumes, thus
making it an environmental hazard.

Is there a "profile" of the meth user? Who uses it and why?

"A lot of these people seem to be the types that have a void in their lives
which leaves them wide open to try something they maybe think is going to
be really spectacular, regardless of the price tag," DA Gibson said.

The fight against meth is an effort to save lives, not just of the abusers
but also the lives of their children and their neighbors.

To do that effectively, law officers need more training, Gibson said.

"I really believe we can win against this drug," he said.

"The people of the Upper Cumberland want that very much, and we're all
working in that direction."