METH LABS BECOMING SCOURGE IN RURAL AREAS

The good news is that the narcotics unit of the Hawkins County Sheriff's
Department has seized a methamphetamine lab. The bad news is it is the
sixth such lab Hawkins law enforcement officials have discovered in less
than a year.

As the pace of meth lab discovery and confiscation increases, it's
exceedingly clear that the scourge of drugs is not an exclusively urban
phenomenon.

Indeed, HCSD Chief Detective Ronnie Lawson tells the Times-News, "I'm sure
that there are many more labs out there because this drug is so inexpensive
to make, and there's a big return on (the) investment.''

In the latest incident, Lawson says, the confiscated lab had not actually
begun operating, but various other drugs and drug paraphernalia were present.

Last May, a Bulls Gap meth lab explosion killed two men and left a third in
intensive care. The force of the explosion was so powerful a section of a
wall of the residence was blown away.

Police 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.

Because most people may be unaware that they're living near a meth lab,
here are some things to be aware of:

. 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 tell-tale signs, immediately contact your
nearest law enforcement agency. Ending the scourge of methamphetamine
begins with each of us.