METH DANGERS EMPHASIZED AT CONFERENCE

A diverse group of citizens attended the Community Methamphetamine
Conference Monday evening at Cleveland High School. Organizers were pleased
with the mix of people at the event.

Around 200 people with backgrounds in education, business, religion and
other areas made up the attendees.

"This is a great turnout," said Rodney Fitzgerald, one of the organizers for
the event, designed to raise awareness of problems with the production and
use of meth.

"I am very concerned about where these meth cooks make this drug," said
local businessman Dee Burris.

When a clandestine meth lab is discovered, agents issue warnings to the
landlord or owner of the property affected.

"These houses, apartments, motel rooms are supposed to be decontaminated
after a meth lab is found," said Mike Hall of the 10th Judicial District
Drug Task Force. Hall explained that one meth cook, who had a meth lab set
up on a pontoon boat, admitted to dumping the toxic chemicals into the
river.

"He said he dumped at least 20 processes into the water," said Hall. The man
had a hole cut into the boat so he could dump the lab (and production) if
approached by law enforcement. "When meth cooks use this method to dispose
of the stuff, it goes into our water supply," Hall said.

The Cleveland Police Department, the Bradley County Sheriff's Office Drug
Enforcement Unit and the DTF presented the program. Assistant District
Attorney General Wylie Richardson was also on hand to answer legal questions
brought up by the crowd.

DEU agent David O' Boyle, assisted by agent Keith Fretwell, explained
statistics in the Bradley County area. "Over 50 labs have been discovered
this year to date," said O'Boyle, "Bradley County was third in the state in
meth lab seizures in 2003. At this rate, we are fast becoming the No. 1 area
of meth production (in the state)."

"We ask, 'When is enough, enough?' " said Hall, talking of legislators who
have decided to "study the problem beginning next year."

Richardson explained to the crowd that legislation to provide stiffer
penalties or demands on cooks and users are not in place.

Earlier reports indicate that minimum mandatory sentencing guidelines need
to be established to gain better control of the offenders.

From observations, the audience was shocked at the presentations made during
the conference, which lasted two hours.

Many shook their heads in disbelief as the agents explained of the dangers
that parents or guardians place children in when cooking the illicit drug.

"The addiction to methamphetamine will surpass addiction to cocaine in the
very near future," said Det. Duff Brumley, who opened the program. "It is a
terrifying epidemic. We are fighting a war against this drug," he said.

DTF agent Hall said, "meth is quite different from any other drug because of
its addictive nature, easy way to obtain chemicals used in the production,
and the cost effectiveness of production.

DTF agent Bill Cherry Jr., made a presentation on how offenders cook the
product.

Two yellow-suited, heavily armed DTF agents stormed in and took the cook
into custody.

Agents Hall, Cherry and Craig Frost demonstrated the dangers of entering a
clan meth lab.

Local educator Beverly Tipton said she attended the conference to learn what
to look for when children could be living in a meth house.

"I want to know the actions and any visible signs to recognize," said
Tipton, referring to burns and other indicators of children who are raised
in a lab environment.

The program was sponsored by the Olin-Arch Community Advisory Panel and the
Cleveland Media Association.