PROSECUTOR DISCUSSES BENTON COUNTY CRIMINAL CASES

Drug Use Increases Crime, Balfe Says

BELLA VISTA -- Benton County Prosecutor Bob Balfe warned the Republican Men
of Benton County on Friday of possible future criminal trends.

Balfe said that club drugs, such as Ecstasy, GHB and ketamine, aren't
prominent in the Northwest Arkansas club scene but soon could be.

The drugs first became popular in the Northeast and are quickly moving to
other regions of the United States.

Club drugs appeal to middle class young people because they are found in a
small pill form, Balfe said.

"There is a real sense that club drugs are safe," he said. "Middle class
kids who won't shoot up have no trouble popping a pill."

Balfe warned that club drugs aren't just dangerous, they're deadly.

Methamphetamine, which is made up of items such as acetone, cleaning
products and rubbing alcohol, can be found in all forms, he said. The drug
can be injected, snorted, smoked and ingested.

Balfe, who also is the president of Republican Men of Benton County, said
drugs have played a major role in many of Benton County's recent criminal
cases.

The prosecutor's office deals with an average of 1,250 cases a year. The
office argued 15 criminal trials from 2001 to 2002 and received 14
convictions, he said. The office also received five murder convictions.
Balfe said the five people convicted of murder were under the influence of
drugs when the crimes were committed.

Balfe and the county's 15 deputy prosecutors handle all state law and county
ordinance violations. The prosecutors also lend legal advice to the Quorum
Court and county officials and all involuntary commitments for individuals
suffering from acute mental illnesses, he said.

"Although we have a lot of high-profile cases, we actually have a low crime
rate," Balfe said.