METH LABS KEEP ON BREWING

Over the past few years, rural area law enforcement agencies throughout
south Alabama have found a new and dangerous enemy. The rise in use and
distribution of crystal methamphetamine over the past five years has been
nothing short of extraordinary.

Crystal meth, also known as crystal or crank, is the most hyper-charged
member of the amphetamine drug family. Widely used in the 1960s and early
70s for its intense effects, crystal virtually disappeared in the mid-70s.
But, it resurfaced in the 80s and made its way to rural America during the 90s.

Crystal increases arousal in the central nervous system by pumping up
levels of two neurotransmitters - norepinephrine and dopamine. At low
doses, it boosts alertness and blocks hunger and fatigue. At higher doses,
it causes exhilaration and euphoria. At very high doses, the drug can cause
agitation, paranoia and bizarre behavior. Physical effects include
increased heart rate, blood pressure and body temperature.

Over the past few months there have been a number of crystal meth-related
arrests here in Escambia County. Drug Task Force Commander Keith Hutchins
has expressed on several occasions the volatility and danger of the
makeshift labs used to produce the drug. These labs utilize a variety of
substances, including some flammable and even explosive materials. Local
drug enforcement officers have found these labs in bath tubs, sheds,
closets and even in the back of a pickup truck. Perhaps the saddest thing
about some recent lab discoveries is that they are often found in homes
with young children.

These labs are not only dangerous because of the drug they make, but
because the labs themselves are extremely volatile. The chemicals used are
toxic. There are reported cases of children walking barefoot across a
contaminated floor, a child spilling a soda bottle filled with hydrochloric
acid on himself and even of children drinking lye, which burns the
esophagus. Fortunately, none of these dreadful events have happened in
Escambia ... yet.

There are several reasons for the rise of crystal meth. The probable top
reason is that it is cheap to make and cheap to buy. This drug is not
smuggled in from Central America. Instead it is produced using simple
ingredients that can be purchased at most stores, with the exception of
anhydrous ammonia. While meth producers may not be able to buy anhydrous
ammonia, they are able to steal it from farmers. One local farmer helped
lead the task force to an arrest after a theft on his property.

Another reason for its new popularity is its price. Meth is much cheaper
than cocaine and is plentiful. One quarter of a gram is said to cost about $25.

For drug dealers, the lure of fast cash added with the simple production
process makes it an extremely attractive product to push.

With the use of crystal methamphetamine at an all-time high, it is
important for each community to protect itself. Local law enforcement,
especially the work of the Drug Task Force, is no doubt working every day
to shut these labs down and get the drug off the streets. But, it is a
daunting job to say the least.

The public should help law enforcement by reporting odd smells and
suspicious activities in their neighborhoods. There may be a legal
explanation, but it could also mean that neighbors are in the drug
business. When the supplies and ingredients can be obtained so easily and
the labs can be hidden inside homes, it requires many hours of
investigating before an arrest can be made. Tips from the public could help
speed up the process and get a very dangerous drug off the streets.