METH LABS QUICKLY BECOMING THE SCOURGE OF OUR REGION

The rural beauty of this region is one of the main reasons so many are
drawn to visit and to live here. But a certain type of criminal also favors
the hideaways our mountains and hollows provide.

We're speaking, of course, of the increasing scourge of methamphetamine labs.

Earlier this month, agents from the 3rd Judicial District Drug Task Force,
assisted by the Hawkins County Sheriff's Department Narcotics Unit, raided
what officials say is the biggest meth lab ever found in this part of the
state.

Disturbingly, that raid represented the seventh meth lab found in Hawkins
County and throughout the region; others have been located since. Such a
lab exploded in Bulls Gap in May 2002, killing two men and critically
injuring another.

As the pace of illegal lab discovery and confiscation increases, it's
becoming exceedingly clear that our region has become a kind of mecca for
meth production activity.

Narcotics experts say meth cooks and traffickers often operate in small
towns and rural areas. They find them perfect havens to make and distribute
their dangerous drug.

Hundreds of labs have been discovered in Tennessee in the last year. And
the problem appears to be getting substantially worse.

The DEA seized more than 460 labs in the state in 2001, a 150 percent
increase over the previous year. With an average cleanup cost of $3,000,
meth labs are also putting a financial strain on the state's resources at a
time when money is in short supply.

Meth continues to ruin countless lives, filling jails and prisons - and
morgues - flooding courts and frustrating overworked law enforcement agencies.

Officials say citizen information is critical to shutting these labs down.
Unfortunately, most people may be unaware they're living in proximity to
this dangerous, criminal activity. Here are some tell-tale signs:

. Strong odors similar to that of fingernail polish remover or urine;

. Residences with windows blacked out;

. Renters who pay their landlords in cash. (Most drug dealers trade
exclusively in cash);

. Lots of traffic, with people coming and going at unusual times. There may
be little traffic during the day, but at night, the activity increases
dramatically;

. Purchases of large amounts of products, especially cold medicines;

. Excessive trash, including large amounts of items such as antifreeze
containers, drain cleaner, lantern fuel cans, red chemically stained coffee
filters, batteries and drain cleaner.

If you observe any of these signs, immediately contact your nearest law
enforcement agency. Ending the scourge of methamphetamine begins with each
of us.