METH-FIGHTING PROGRAM RUNS OUT OF MONEY

Free Locks Program Protected Chemical Tanks On Farms

A program to provide free locks to protect chemical tanks on farms in two
Southwest Michigan counties has ended because money ran out.

The gas, called anhydrous ammonia, has become a theft target in recent
years, prompting the Michigan Department of Community Health to start a
program in Van Buren and Allegan counties to distribute free locks for farm
tanks. Anhydrous ammonia is injected into soil as a fertilizer.

The pilot program was launched in 2002, and the state Office of Drug Control
Policy approved the $25,000 grant to provide 275 locks to farmers.

It is uncertain whether there will be more money in the future.

But, whether the program has hampered meth manufacturing is unknown.

"We've not seen a decrease in the number of labs," said David Bush, a State
Police inspector. "But we've seen less theft of ammonia."

Farmers who have used the locks provided by the program applauded the
effort. Some of those who haven't used locks have been targets of theft,
Bush said. Some farmers chose not to use the lock because they don't see the
purpose, he said.

"They always have an excuse for not using them," he said.

Methamphetamine is a powerful central nervous system stimulant that is
highly addictive. The drug allows a person to have a boost of energy, little
need for sleep and extreme alertness, said Robin Reynolds, executive
director of the East Lansing, Mich.-based Mid-South Substance Abuse
Commission.

Its long-term side effects include hallucinations, malnutrition and
anorexia, Reynolds said. Short-term effects include irritability and
aggressive behavior.

The lock program concentrated on the two counties because of the increasing
number of anhydrous ammonia thefts and methamphetamine labs there. But,
because of the lack of money, the program is not likely to expand.

"It'd be great if we could go statewide," Bush said.

"The program did a good job at hindering the criminals," said Tod Kubiszak,
who raises cattle and corn on a 600-acre farm in Lawrence, Mich. "It's a
tremendous program."

But farmers who use the locks found another problem: Inventive thieves drill
through the tank to get the content out.

Kubiszak said: "We've had cases when the whole tanks has been stolen. These
guys aren't rocket scientists."

Kubiszak said he has switched to a liquid form of anhydrous ammonia. The
liquid ammonia has less nitrogen and requires more work to fertilize the
field. On the positive side, it doesn't interest the methamphetamine
entrepreneurs.

"It works just as well," Kubiszak said. "Only you have to use three times as
much."

At times, it may even be cheaper to use.

Anhydrous ammonia -- anhydrous means "without water" -- becomes a gas when
exposed to air, though it is stored in liquid form. Once released it seeks
moisture, attacking and chemically burning eyes and lungs.

Several state senators are seeking to increase the penalty for the
chemical's theft and its transportation in unapproved containers.

Under current law, ammonia theft carries a maximum 92-day jail sentence. If
the proposed legislation is adopted, conviction for theft of anhydrous
ammonia will carry up to four years in prison and a $2,000 fine.

"We seemed to have a pretty big problem with meth in southwest corner," said
state Sen. Ron Jelinek, R-Three Oaks. "It's something we need to address."

Jelinek's bill would prohibit the use of nonspecialized containers to
transport the chemical: thermos bottles or propane tanks not suitable for a
dangerous gas.

The number of meth-related criminal cases is on the rise in Van Buren
County, said Prosecutor Juris Kaps.

"This year so far, we had 50 cases," he said. "Enhanced penalties would make
things easier for us."

Police have broken up 145 meth labs statewide so far this year, 57 of them
in southwest Michigan, according to the State Police. In comparison, the
police broke up 40 labs statewide in 2000.

Southwest Michigan has been an epicenter for lab activity in the state.
Jackson and Van Buren lead the list of counties in the number of labs seized
by State Police this year.

Apart from anhydrous ammonia, meth makers use items like coffee filters,
lithium batteries, over-the-counter cold medicine and engine starting spray
that are common and easily available.