QUARTET OF DRUGS A PROBLEM

Escambia County faces four serious drug problems, according to Keith
Hutchins, commander of the 21st Judicial Circuit Drug Task Force -- crystal
methamphetamine, cocaine, marijuana and prescription drug abuse.

"Meth is one of the fastest growing drug problems in the nation," Hutchins
said. "The biggest problem with meth is the homemade labs."

Crystal methamphetamine labs are very dangerous. Also, the drug is very
addictive, and its use is widespread, he said. "People from all walks of
life are using it -- from housewives to professionals."

Escambia County's problem with the drug began in 1999, when the county had
the first crystal methamphetamine lab responded to by the Mobile forensics
team.

Since then, the problem has grown to include the discovery of 50 labs in
the county in 2002 and 32 labs in 2003, Hutchins said.

Most recently, the drug task force initiated a lab clean up in the Nokomis
area on Dec. 27, 2003.

Also, on Jan. 15 the task force arrested someone trying to steal anhydrous
ammonia, a key component used in the manufacturing of crystal methamphetamine.

Another serious drug problem in Escambia County is the abuse of both powder
and crack cocaine.

"In the last year, we've had more powder cocaine than in years past. I hope
that's not a trend," Hutchins said.

An arrest was made in the county at the beginning of January for possession
of powder cocaine.

"Crack cocaine is a problem because it's so addictive," Hutchins said.

Crack sells for $20 a hit and the effects of a hit last about 30 minutes.
Drug enforcement agents have encountered addicts who spent as much as
$1,400 on crack cocaine in one night, Hutchins said.

According to Hutchins, cocaine overdoses are not always a result of the
cocaine, specifically. Instead, additives used to stretch the cocaine, such
as flour, detergent, rat poison or "anything white they can find to mix
with it" are to blame, he said.

A third drug problem facing the county is the use of marijuana.

"Marijuana use is growing with young kids, and that's what's worrying us,"
Hutchins said. "Last year we had a 14-year-old test positive for marijuana,
and I'm sure there are younger. It seems to be becoming a more acceptable
thing."

Four hundred marijuana plants were found growing in Escambia County last
year. The highest number in recent years was over 1,000 marijuana plants
found in 1997.

Finally, the abuse and illegal sale of prescription drugs presents a unique
problem to the drug task force.

"Prescription drugs are the hardest one for us to deal with," Hutchins said.

Law enforcement officers can't arrest someone for the possession of
prescription drugs if the person has a prescription. The drug task force's
answer to this is to catch people for the illegal sale of prescription
drugs, which means using an undercover operation to make a purchase,
Hutchins said.

One prescription drug being abused is a painkiller called Oxycontin, which
Hutchins likens to "legalized heroin" because, like heroin, addiction to it
is treated with methadone.

"There are so many Oxycontin addicts right now," Hutchins said. "I feel
like some doctors are giving them out way too freely."

After two to three days without Oxycontin, addicts start to experience
cramps, sweats, fever and diarrhea, he said. "It's one of the most horrible
things you can go through."

Other prescription drugs that pose a problem include Lortab, Xanax and
other painkillers, Hutchins said.

"All of these drugs are so addictive. I don't think people think about the
consequences," Hutchins said.

Officers with the 21st Judicial Circuit Drug Task Force visit schools,
churches and civic organizations to educate the community against drug use.