POPULAR DRUG POSES NEW PROBLEMS FOR POLICE AGENCIES

Part of the problem of fighting a war on drugs is that the parameters of
the war keep changing.

The traditional drugs that come to mind, such as cocaine and heroin, remain
a problem, but lately there's a newer drug of choice for users:
methamphetamines.

Experts say they are powerful, highly addictive and versatile. Meth, also
known as "ice" and "crank," can be injected, snorted, smoked or ingested
orally.

And unlike some other drugs, where users are sometimes at the mercy of
supplies, some people literally cook up meth in their homes using kitchen
appliances and somewhat common ingredients, such as ammonia, cold tablets,
fertilizer and lye.

Police nationwide, including those in Southwest Michigan, have tried to
keep up with the evolving drug culture.

That seems to be the case in Van Buren County, which is trying out a pilot
program to battle the growing meth menace. Sheriff Dale Gribler said a
six-member police task force will begin a 60-day trial run, starting April
1, with an eye on making a dent in the meth problem in Van Buren and Cass
counties.

In addition to breaking up existing drug rings, there are other reasons to
worry about the meth problem. People have been known to start fires and
blow up buildings trying to concoct the drug. Recently, police attributed
an ammonia leak at a Buchanan co-op facility to the meth problem. Anhydrous
ammonia is a common source of nitrogen used to fertilize crops such as
corn. Somebody was attempting to steal some of the chemical, but instead
caused a leak that led to a small evacuation of area residents. Farmers who
use the material should also be aware that their stores could be vulnerable
to theft.

Gribler added that on top of everything else, the meth labs produce a toxic
waste that pollutes the environment.

We wish the Van Buren County unit well in the effort, and encourage other
area agencies that haven't already addressed the growing problem to keep an
eye on the results. Along with money and manpower, information remains one
of the most important weapons in the ongoing drug war.