METH WATCH PROGRAM GETS UNDER WAY IN JACKSON COUNTY

PASCAGOULA - The District Attorney's Office hopes a successful Meth Watch
Program in George and Greene counties will improve Jackson County's drug
situation and encourage the public to help fight drugs.

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

District Attorney Keith Miller started the program in George County. He
said the program won't cost Jackson County any additional money.

All the program needs is a few signs for stores and the completion of more
paperwork.

The program uses local merchants to identify people buying household
products that are used to make meth. Stores in the program will post signs
advertising the Meth Watch.

Employees are trained to observe and report suspicious activity involving
large quantities of such products.

These include some cold medicines, nail polish remover, brake cleaner and
batteries.

If a store spots someone buying unusually large quantities, it notifies the
police and an investigation is begun. Store employees are trained to
observe purchasing habits and the appearance of people making purchases.

Thomas will start distributing signs advertising Meth Watch to stores in
the program this week.

He said the program deters meth users from buying the products. Severe
paranoia is a side effect of meth. Thomas said convicted users have told
him that the signs advertising the program make them afraid to shop at
those stores.

"I think it's almost funny to use the effects of the drug to fight it,"
Thomas said.

South Mississippi isn't the only area with such a program. Kansas, Wyoming,
Illinois and Montana have already developed their own.

Miller said district attorneys from other states are considering meth watch
programs.