METHAMPHETAMINE

Citizens' Awareness May Help Officers Put Dent In Area's Serious Drug Problem

It's no secret that the Parkersburg area has a serious meth problem.
West Virginia's methamphetamine seemed to have originated in our area
and, not surprisingly, there are more methamphetamine labs busted
here than any other location in the state.

At a local forum last week, sponsored by St. Joseph's Hospital, area
law enforcement officers explained the extent of the problem and
tried to give residents some things to look for to help them
recognize where these labs may exist and to recognize the people who
operate them. "We've got a problem and we're trying to deal with it
the best we can," an unidentified agent from the Parkersburg Violent
Crime and Narcotics Task Force told the forum. "You guys showing up
shows that hopefully we can try to keep this in check." Wood County
Prosecutor Ginny Conley and other are law enforcement officials
thought the problem so great they approached area lawmakers to see if
stiffer penalties for meth production could be implemented in
Charleston. Although our legislators tried, they were unsuccessful
when the full Legislature refused to address the problem during the
recent session.

Tougher sentencing may have put some meth dealers behind bars for a
longer period of time, but we doubt if it would have stopped the
problem altogether. It is the lure of easy money. From a $250
investment, a dealer can "cook up" nearly $3,000 worth of meth. Meth
is a substance that can be produced with a minimum of components,
such as duct tape, lighter fluid, lye and a few other items.

As Capt. R.L. Woodyard, also with the Parkersburg Violent Crime and
Narcotics Task Force told the crowd, "When you think about a
laboratory, you're thinking about a chemistry lab or a laboratory
with all these beakers and vessels and tubing ... . I'll tell you
what a (meth) laboratory is, it's two soda pop bottles hooked
together."

Law enforcement faces a daunting - and dangerous task - in attempting
to fight meth labs and cookers. The mixing of volatile chemicals
creates a dangerous situation, not only because of the danger of an
explosion, but from just breathing the stuff or getting it on their
bodies. Then there are the producers or "cookers" themselves. As
Woodyard said, most of the suspects found at the labs are armed and
ready to fight.

"We've had explosions in the area, we've had people overcome by fumes
in the area and that's a problem that exists," Woodyard said.

The problem does exist. Law enforcement officials are doing their
best and, as we've all read, have busted many of these labs. But many
more always seem to spring up. Most labs are found in rental homes,
vehicles or motels, places easily abandoned when things get hot for
producers.

The purpose of the forum was to make us all aware of what's going on
in our community. While we might not - and shouldn't - attempt to
play the role of policeman, there are certain things we can do to
help our officers. Smells coming from a home with blackened or
covered windows could be a sign that a home's occupants aren't
members of the chamber of commerce.

If we know this is going on we should call law enforcement. The more
citizens get involved in combatting this problem the sooner we might
be able to make this problem disappear.