METH HAZARD GROWS

An Emergency Personnel Worker Models His Suit for Hazardous Duty.

GAYLORD - Last month's arrests in Otsego County of two women from Elkhart,
Ind. for possession of methamphetamine - or "meth" - could be just the
beginning of a wave of abuse of the powerfully addictive drug in Otsego
County and the rest of northern Michigan, according to local law
enforcement officials. Officials also have concerns about the potential
safety hazards posed by the manufacture of methamphetamine, which is easily
produced in makeshift labs using a variety of common household chemicals.

Lt. Ken Mills, commander of the Straits Area Narcotics Enforcement (SANE)
team, said law enforcement agencies in northern Michigan are hoping to make
an impact on keeping the drug out of the area before it gains a foot hold
here. "I think the state police have been really proactive on the issue of
meth since about 1995. If we get any information on it we respond right away."

SANE is a six-county combined cooperative drug enforcement team of local
law agencies from Otsego, Cheboygan, Charlevoix, Chippewa, Emmet and
Mackinac counties.

According to Lt. Blake Davis, commander of the Michigan State Police (MSP)
Gaylord post, the meth drug bust on Oct. 9 in Bagley Township was the first
ever in the county. "I've been waiting for it to happen here because it is
so prevalent everywhere else," said Davis of the drug which has reached
almost epidemic proportions in southwest Michigan.

Mills added, "The drug is slowly working its way north. We have had some
information on meth in other counties, but this is the first we have
received lately." Mills noted statewide, 160 meth labs have been seized by
authorities to date this year, compared to a total of 120 for all of 2001.
"A couple of years ago we found two labs in Chippewa County, but they are
so mobile they can easily clear out when they know we are on to them. You
are going to see an increase in northern Michigan."

Although meth labs have not been reported in the counties served by SANE in
northern Michigan, in 2001 a lab in Wexford County and one in Roscommon
County were reportedly seized by authorities in those areas. The busts were
the first reported in the north ern third of the state and the closest to
Otsego County.

Mills said one of the reasons the meth problem may be heading north is the
crackdown on meth labs in southwestern Michigan. "It's definitely the hot
spot in the state right now and some of the people who manufacture this
drug are looking at the north and the Upper Peninsula as an easy place to
set up business because it is so rural here. I think they may be in for a
surprise, though. Our local law enforcement has received a lot of training
concerning meth and will continue to do so in the future."

While not wishing to downplay the seriousness of the the effects the drug
can have on individual users (see related story, at right), Mills stated
the makeshift labs which seem to come with the territory of the drug
itself, can pose big problems.

"These labs are highly volatile and can cause problems for first responders
on the scene of a lab explosion," said Mills, who noted first responders
like emergency medical services or fire departments need special training
in dealing with any contact with the labs and the chemicals found in them.
"Problems arise from the high toxic levels one encounters at the site of
these labs. It can cost thousands of dollars to clean up these sites."

Mills said SANE has members who have had training in how to respond to the
meth labs. Lt. Davis stated locally, the Otsego County EMS/Rescue members
and firefighters with the Otsego County Fire Dept. have been trained in
dealing with exposure to the potential problems posed by methamphetamine.
The Gaylord MSP, Otsego County Sheriff's Dept. and Gaylord City Police all
receive regular training in identifying the use and manufacture of the drug.

Regarding local training, Davis said he believes the county is keeping up
to date with potential encounters with the drug. "I think law enforcement,
the EMS and fire department have done a good job with educating their
people about meth."

The Otsego County EMS/Rescue has been busy in its preparedness for the meth
problem if it does reach the county. EMS Chief Jon Deming said a recent
$26,000 Weapons of Mass Destruction grant has enabled them to purchase a
portable decontamination room and shower unit, as well as several new
hazardous materials personal protective equipment suits.

Deming said the county also has received word of a $36,000, 2002 State
Preparedness Program Grant (SDPP) which will allow the county to be even
better prepared in the event of dealing with hazardous materials or
incidents of domestic terrorism.

While the new equipment is designed to meet a number of local emergencies,
Deming said his EMS staff have taken classes specifically dealing with the
hazardous nature of meth labs and in the decontamination process of such sites.

"We can handle 80 to 90 percent of whatever we encounter here and what we
can't handle we can have people here from either Traverse City or Alpena
within two hours," Deming said.

The potential for a methamphetamine problem in northern Michigan is being
addressed through training, preparedness and cooperation between law
enforcement, emergency personnel and fire departments.

"This drug affects so many people in so many ways beyond the use of the
drug itself," said Mills. "You have the potential environmental problems,
first responder problems and the problem of innocent people stumbling upon
these labs or the toxic chemical byproducts from its manufacture. I
believe, though, we are being very proactive in dealing with meth."

Lt. Mills said individuals may call SANE with tips at 800-621-8651 on
methamphetamine or other illegal drug activity, or call their local law
enforcement agency.

A 'Meth' Primer

What is Methamphetamine?

* Methamphetamine is a highly addictive central nervous stimulant much like
cocaine. The effects of methamphetamine, however, are much longer lasting
than the effects of cocaine, yet the cost is much the same.

* Users of methamphetamine experience a variety of psychological and
physiological effects. Some of the pleasant effects are euphoria, increased
alertness and physical activity, decreased appetite and wakefulness.
Adverse central nervous system effects include paranoia, delusions,
anxiety, excitability, insomnia and violet aggressive behavior.

* Methamphetamine can be manufactured using a variety of common household
chemicals. The drug can be made in a makeshift "lab" that can fit into a
suitcase.

* Methamphetamine can look crystal and powdery white like cocaine, or
chunky and sticky like peanut butter or paste.

* Some street names for methamphetamine are crank, speed, crystal, ice,
peanut butter, cristy, and chalk.

The Michigan State Police also offer advice to anyone who may encounter a
meth lab or the hazardous byproduct of its manufacture:

* Do not sniff or touch anything.

* Do not turn anything on or off.

* Limit your exposure.

* Leave the area at once and contact your local law enforcement agency or
the Michigan State Police.

Source: Michigan State Police