PROGRAM DESIGNED TO RAISE METH RISK AWARENESS

Community problems with methamphetamine continue to grow. Local district
attorneys have been involved in raising awareness to the problem with the
illegal homemade drug to area groups and business leaders.

Assistant District Attorney Wylie Richardson, of the 10th Judicial District
Attorney General's Office, along with ADA John Williams have presented a
30-minute PowerPoint presentation at business lunches and civic organizations.

"The high-octane drug is culturally diverse," said Richardson, as he
presented his program to members of the Banner staff.

District Attorney General Jerry Estes wanted Richardson to gather
information which would allow their office the means to present a program
to local citizens to raise awareness of the addictive drug.

Richardson and Williams have given their presentation to various groups
such as the Rotary Club, medical and doctors' associations and others.

Richardson said education administrators are also invited to view the
presentation explaining the dangers of methamphetamine use, how to
determine if someone could be using the drug, dangers to children who are
forced to live in clandestine meth lab surroundings, and penalties issued
by the courts when an offender is convicted of meth-related crimes.

Richardson discussed several propositions Estes plans to introduce to
legislators, which will hopefully become laws, in regards to penalties to
meth offenders.

One such proposition is to introduce legislation of a minimum mandatory
sentence guideline for repeat offenders.

There is no minimum sentence for meth offenses at present.

Richardson and Williams' presentations also include the difference between
federal penalties versus state penalties.

Federal cases are fast tracked, and the penalty issued is usually day for
day. On the flip side, state trials can be drug out for years and penalties
such as jail or prison sentencing are shortened by class and range type of
offense.

"We will be glad to present our program to any organization or group upon
request," said Richardson.

The local district attorney general's office can be reached at 472-2179,
ext. 18.