LITTER, DRUG WARS FOCUS OF CHAMBER SPEAKERS

Two speakers told Hammond Chamber of Commerce members about the local wars
against drugs and litter at the chamber's monthly general meeting at Trey
Yuen Thursday.

Hammond will once again enter the state Garden Club's Cleanest City contest
April 17, Hammond Garden Club President Louise O'Sullivan said.

The club will also sponsor a Trash Bash event April 6 from 8 until 11 a.m.,
she said.

Hammond won as cleanest city in its district last year but lost the state
title to Nachitoches.

"Nachitoches is beating us to death," O'Sullivan said.

She urged everyone to "clean up, spruce up and set a plant in your window"
in order to impress the judges this year.

About 400 volunteers collected six tons of trash at last year's Trash Bash,
she added.

But trash isn't all that needs to be cleaned up, Tangipahoa Parish
Sheriff's spokesperson Patti Giannoble said.

Since November, law enforcement officers seized 650 pounds of marijuana,
one kilogram of cocaine, 25 vials of steroids, a "rolling meth lab" and
$32,000 from vehicles on interstates 12 and 55, she said.

Unfortunately, Hammond's location at the intersection of two major
interstates makes the city "a hub for drug trafficking," she said.

Rural Tangipahoa Parish is also an ideal location for methamphetamine labs,
Giannoble said. The drug makers require remote spots to cook the meth,
which takes days and produces a strong odor.

Meth recipes are available on the Internet and call for easily obtainable
ingredients, spreading the problem far and wide, she said.

"Every time we take one drug dealer off the street, another one emerges,"
Giannoble said.

It's also a lucrative business, she said. Although it costs less than $200
an ounce to make, it sells for $1,400 an ounce on the street.

The TPSO works in conjunction with the Tri-Parish Narcotics unit to crack
down on drugs, but tips from concerned residents are just as important, she
said.

She urged anyone to call the TPSO, Crimestoppers or their local police
departments if they suspect drug activity in their area.

"If it doesn't look right, call us," she said.

Daily Star Reporter Craig Malisow may be reached at 345-2333, ext. 218.