OFFICIALS ASK FOR METHAMPHETAMINE TIPS FROM MERCHANTS

PASCAGOULA (AP) -- Officials in south Mississippi want local merchants to
tip off law enforcement officers when shoppers buy household products that
could be used to make methamphetamines.

The District Attorney's office in Jackson County said a Meth Watch Program
like those in George and Greene counties should encourage the public to
help fight drugs.

"The public's got to get involved," Assistant District Attorney Dustin
Thomas said. "They have to know about the methamphetamine problem so they
can help."

District Attorney Keith Miller started the program in George County. The
program would use local merchants to identify people buying household
products that are used to make methamphetamines. Participating stores would
post signs advertising the Meth Watch.

Thomas said the program would deter meth users from buying the products.

Employees would be trained to observe and report suspicious activity
involving large quantities of cold medicines, nail polish remover, brake
cleaner, batteries and other products. They would also observe buying
habits and the appearance of the people making the purchases.

If a store spotted someone buying unusually large quantities, the merchant
would call the police and an investigation would begin.

Thomas said he would start distributing signs advertising Meth Watch to
stores in the program this week. He said convicted users have told him that
the signs advertising the program in other counties made them afraid to
shop at those stores.

Kansas, Wyoming, Illinois and Montana have developed similar programs and
Miller said district attorneys from other states are considering their own,
Miller said.