DRUG DEALERS BEWARE

Drug dealers and meth manufacturers beware. Circuit Court Judge Burt
Smithart sent a powerful message from the Barbour County Courthouse in
Clayton last week. Judge Smithart sentenced a repeat drug offender charged
with making illegal methamphetamine to prison. For life. With no chance of
parole.

David Robinette, 51, of Ariton, will serve out his days in prison. He was
convicted of manufacturing methamphetamine, a dangerous synthetic drug now
on the streets in Eufaula and Barbour County.

District Attorney Boyd Whigham's office proved four prior drug convictions,
and tough new sentencing laws gave Judge Smithart wide latitude for the
sentencing.

We commend Judge Smithart for striking a blow to the drug trade in Barbour
County.

Meth exploded onto the drug scene in Eufaula and Barbour County well over a
year ago.

Agents with the Barbour/Bullock Drug Task Force warned us last summer about
the drug's dangers.

Last June, an agent shared a startling revelation. One drug suspect
estimated some 150 to 200 teenagers in Eufaula were using meth.

It's impossible to know how accurate that estimate is and whether meth use
is spreading rapidly as agents feared it would.

Successful drug raids in Barbour County in recent months give us good
reason to believe meth is a growing problem, though.

Drug Task Force agents warn that meth is far more addictive and dangerous
than other drugs like marijuana.

Since it involves "cooking" a deadly concoction of chemicals, making can be
as dangerous as taking meth.

Users snort it, smoke it, ingest it or inject it. The drug is different
than alcohol, because it's a stimulant. Its users often appear agitated and
paranoid.

What's worse is the Drug Enforcement Agency warns that meth is far more
addictive than crack cocaine.

Its use causes severe insomnia, depression and loss of appetite. It gets
worse over time. Prolonged use of meth can lower one's resistance to
illness, damage the liver or even cause a stroke or heart failure.

We hope Judge Smithart's stiff sentence sends a message to drug pushers.

Take your business elsewhere, or you'll pay for it.