METHAMPHETAMINE USE SLOWING IN VICTORIA AREA

VICTORIA - The Victoria Police Department's Special Crimes Unit is the
city's main line of defense in stopping the manufacture and distribution of
methamphetamine and other drugs in the city.

But unlike the Methamphetamine Initiative Group, or Mig, from Houston, the
unit doesn't have the luxury of specializing in just that one area.

"We handle crimes that require specialized investigations," Sgt. James A.
Martinez of the Victoria unit said. "I would say that between 80 and 90
percent of our work is in drugs and that whatever drug cases are made, we'll
be involved in 99 percent of those. But we are also pulled in on other
offenses. We are actually set up to work whatever kind of case we are
assigned to."

Methamphetamine has not become as prevalent in Victoria as it has in many of
the state's larger metropolitan areas. Martinez said that the kind of city
Victoria is has helped slow the drug's spread into the community.

"I'm not so na=C3=AFve as to think that we are immune to drugs in Victoria,"
he said. "But we do have a lot of concerned citizens and parents. We're
lucky we are not living in a community that has its head stuck in the sand."

Another factor slowing the popularity of the drug in the local area is its
reputation. "It still has the stigma of being a 'White Trash Drug,'"
Martinez said. "It comes from the days back when it was being cooked up by
the biker gangs. And my experience has been that it still is popular mostly
among older users. The main draw for younger people is still ecstasy. But it
is becoming more prevalent."

Williams added, "It helps that most kids want something that they don't have
to cook up themselves. If they are going to take drugs, they want something
right away."

While they handle fewer methamphetamine labs than Houston's Mig, the
Victoria unit has to try to reach the same level of expertise because the
dangers they face are the same.

Over the past year, the Victoria unit has shut down about five labs,
Martinez said.

"There are three major safety concerns when doing a meth lab," Martinez
said. "The first is trying to determine if there are any defendants around
and removing them from the scene. Second is the lab itself. And third is
dealing with booby traps. A lot of these meth dealers are paranoid and leave
traps around." Making the traps even more lethal is the hazardous materials
protection suits officers must wear while dismantling a lab.

"It's not just the traps themselves," Officer Rae Williams said. "When you
are uniformed up, your visibility is going to be restricted, but you cannot
work the scene if you are unsuited."

Williams serves as the department's site safety officer, with the
responsibility of making sure officers use the equipment properly. And he
coordinates with other agencies for assistance. That generally includes
having a good working relationship with the fire department and its
hazardous materials handlers. They also coordinate with the Department of
Public Safety's narcotics division and the Houston Mig.

"If we need something from DPS, they're right there for us," Martinez said.
"And if they need something, we'll help them. The police department and DPS
are the only ones with lab technicians in this area, so there are times when
we need each other."

One advantage that Victoria has over some similar-sized cities is the fact
they've worked hard to develop the expertise needed to handle most
situations, including meth labs. In addition to Williams' training as a site
safety officer, the department has five certified lab technicians who have
been to the schools and are familiar with working in a meth lab environment,
allowing them to properly assess the situation and take the necessary
samples.

"We have our own little group," Williams said. "We can work two in, two out
and have a site safety person. If we run into a full-blown lab, it is going
to take more than five people. That is when we draw on those other resources
to come and help us."