METH TASK FORCE RELEASES REPORT

Crystal methamphetamine is a problem that's been affecting this area for a
number of years and is a problem that's getting worse with each passing year.

However, members of a local committee, who hope to conquer this issue, have
released their recommendations for how to deal with the drug problem.

The Marshall County Methamphetamine Task Force, which was formed in
December 2001 to investigate the issue of methamphetamine use, possession,
distribution and/or manufacture and assess its impact upon the community,
has worked for the last 18 months developing their recommendations for
tackling this disturbing problem.

District Attorney Steve Marshall, who is one of the persons responsible for
the formation of the Task Force, announced the group's ideas Friday during
a press conference held in the Marshall County Commission Chambers at the
courthouse in Guntersville.

Marshall said the committee, through their "countless hours of work," came
to the conclusion that no single recommendation will solve the numerous
problems associated with this drug.

Rather, he said, the Task Force decided this is a problem that should be
targeted by addressing specific issues in very specific ways.

"We have to target our efforts," Marshall said.

Therefore, the Task Force decided proposals to address issues of
prevention, treatment and prosecution are necessary, but should include an
emphasis on identifying ways to prevent the use of drugs by young adults.

In addition, the recommendations also attempt to build upon other programs
currently in place that have proven to be successful.

"Drug Court is a shining example of this, and I think it's an indication of
where Marshall County is ahead of other areas in this state. The recidivism
rate for those who come through Drug Court is about 10 percent while the
statewide average is about 60 to 70 percent," Marshall said.

One of the most important issues to come out of the Task Force's work,
Marshall said, is the realization the effort to address this problem is not
solely one that can be taken on only by law enforcement but will require
the time, efforts and dedication of the entire community. "If the community
looks to law enforcement to do this alone, then we'll never get ahead of
the curve," he said.

As part of the force's long-range planning goals, they hope to form a
non-profit corporation, which would be named Drug Free Marshall County. The
corporation would seek grant funding and serve as a coordinating body on
drug-related issues throughout the county as well as collect data on
methamphetamine use, public health, crime and other societal costs.

Marshall said the Task Force has applied for a drug-free community grant
that would be used to specifically target young people. Because they
haven't received word as to whether the grant has been approved, Marshall
said they haven't formed the non-profit corp.

"There is a question as to under which umbrella the corporation would have
to be formed. We're waiting on the grant, which we hope will give us some
direction on that, he said.

The Merchants Against Meth program is one the Task Force has not only
received "wonderful feedback" on but also hope to build upon. The program
provides local retailers with a list of precursor chemicals used for the
manufacture of crystal meth and offers training for employees regarding
these issues.

"The Merchants Against Meth program really has a two-fold purpose. One is
to help us identify significant numbers of people who are buying precursor
chemicals, and another is to make it a little more difficult for customers
to buy significant quantities of precursor chemicals," Marshall said.

Because of the program, Marshall said, several local retailers have begun
placing chemicals that are used to make meth on shelves out of the
customers' reach, thereby forcing those who want the products to request
assistance in obtaining them. In addition, Marshall said the Task Force is
training merchants to sell such products only to customers who "will use
them for legitimate purposes."

Another recommendation of the group will be put into effect before the end
of next month. Marshall said they plan to implement a county-wide human
resources training program, which will be provided to personnel managers
and smaller companies as a means to assisting them in either upgrading or
establishing drug testing policies and awareness.

The Task Force also plans to continue promoting public awareness of the
problem by continuing to host town meetings. However, those meetings,
Marshall said, will have to be more focused than the meetings held last
year throughout the county.

In order to provide current information regarding crystal meth and its
impact upon the entire community, Marshall said the group hopes to utilize
state-wide resources in more comprehensive ways, a move that should enable
them to better reach residents of the county and teach them to be part of
the solution.

One of the ways the Task Force hopes to accomplish this is by providing, by
the end of this year, a Website on which people can access drug-related
information and resources. The Website would be developed in conjunction
with Drug Free Marshall County.

In addition, the group plans to request the Marshall County Legislative
Delegation seek to modify the Code of Alabama by reestablishing mandatory
minimum sentences for trafficking offenses, and make it so the five-year
enhancement provision for individuals convicted of distribution of
controlled substances within three miles of a public school or public
housing project shall not be subject to suspension or probation.

It is also the wish of the Task Force to recommend the creation a
state-wide commission to direct methamphetamine-based strategy, recommend
legislation restricting the purchase of excessive amounts of precursor
chemicals that could be used to make meth and recommend to the
Congressional Delegation the federal government assist the pharmaceutical
industry in developing an adulterant for pseudoephedrine that would
prohibit its use in methamphetamine production.

Another recommendation of the group has already been implemented. Marshall
has recently spoke at several local churches to teach parents how to talk
to their children about drug use. Those meetings, he said, have had
positive results, and he plans to continue them.

Plans are also in the works to work with community-based institution and
employers to distribute educational materials as another means of reaching
parents so has to enhance their awareness of the signs and dangers of drug
use and help them take action to protect their children.

Additionally, the group hopes to develop a comprehensive public awareness
campaign for employers that will be designed to promote the creation of
drug-free workplace policies and employee assistance programs, which
include referrals to substance abuse treatment and prevention services.

In order to meet their goal of reaching young people with information about
crystal meth, the Task Force recommends using older students - high school
juniors and seniors - as mentors. Marshall said the students would be
trained to speak to junior high and elementary students about why it's
important to remain drug-free. Students chosen for the mentor program would
be local schools' best and brightest, Marshall said.

"One conclusion we can to is that kids do not want to listen to a bunch of
adults come in and tell them why drugs are bad," Marshall said.

It's also important, the group concluded, that by the end of the year, all
schools in Marshall County adopt a "consistent and comprehensive program
for student drug testing."

"This is my perspective, but I advocate this because it would give a kid an
additional reason to say no. Hanging the threat of drug testing over them
would allow a young person to resist peer pressure," Marshall said.

As for dealing with the law enforcement side of the issue, the committee
recommends formulating a mechanism to provide immediate access to
immigration officials and increase the ease with which offenders may be
deported in order to speed the process of addressing illegal aliens
participating in methamphetamine trafficking.

"The Hispanic community is not the reason for the drug problem in Marshall
County ... ,but it allows more access to the drug, which is coming in from
out of state. We know this is kind of a 'pie in the sky' recommendation
because the INS (Immigration and Naturalization Service) is handicapped by
(the lack of) resources, but we believe this is an issue that hurts
Marshall County," he said.

In addition, the Task Force plans to form by the end of July a Citizen's
Academy directed toward senior citizens over the age of 50, who would
assist in the identification of illegal drug traffickers and illegal drug
activity.

The issuance of the committee's recommendations do not reflect the end of
the Task Force's work. Marshall said, over the coming months, the group
will monitor the implementation of their recommendations and ultimately
engage in an evaluations of the results.

Marshall said he is very proud of the Task Force for the work they've done
in formulating these recommendations and thinks they will push this county
to the forefront of this issue.

"I believe they have come up with a plan that will make a difference in
Marshall County and will put us ahead of other counties likewise facing the
same issue," he said.