CRYSTAL METH PROBLEM STILL MAKES HEADLINES

After my first official week as managing editor, I sat back and looked over
the editions we printed last week. What struck me was the fact that one
subject seemed to make front page headlines in all three issues: drugs.

More recently than ever before, my awareness of the drug problem in this
county is at an all-time high. At the root of that problem is a growing
epidemic called crystal methamphetamine.

My first thought after realizing how often our paper reported on crystal
meth last week was how someone, somewhere, would probably decide to call me
and ask if all we had to write about is drugs. That conversation would
probably end with the fact that they are tired of reading about meth labs
and drug arrests.

My response, if this does happen, would have to be "good." I'm glad you're
tired of hearing about the drug problem. Now do something about it, so I
and the other reporters on this staff won't have to write headlining
stories about a dangerous meth lab being busted or about all the weapons
that were seized by drug agents.

If you think you're tired of hearing about drugs, think about how tired I
am of hearing how paranoid the people who use crystal meth are and how
these clandestine labs they're so fond of making following instructions
they downloaded off the Internet could explode and wipe out an entire block.

And if you think I'm tired of writing about it, imagine the agents who have
to deal with this on a daily basis. It's somewhat of an inside joke around
here that just when we think everything's quiet and the Drug Enforcement
Unit is having a pretty slow time for a change, we get one press release
after another.

In fact, the press releases have actually started to sound the same.
So-and-so was found to be operating a meth lab in a shed out at the back of
his home in a very nice neighborhood. The lab was made up of stuff most
people throw away or never think twice about. In addition to seizing the
lab, agents seized a certain amount of crystal meth and, in some cases,
marijuana and, in almost all cases, firearms.

After thinking on all of this, I realized it's no wonder this issue made
headlines in every issue we printed last week. It's time people realize
just how serious this problem is, and if printing information about it as
often as we can helps in this aspect, then our readers can expect to see
more about crystal meth in the future. .... Looking on the positive side,
another important event that has made headlines lately have been our local
basketball teams who have shown exemplary talent and hard work to earn very
successful seasons.

I had the privilege of watching one such team, the Boaz Lady Pirates,
Saturday as they fought for their State Championship Title against Athens
in Birmingham.

This was the first time I saw the Lady Pirates play this season, and though
they lost this game, I was nonetheless impressed with the talent and
finesse of these young ladies.

I was also impressed with the amount of support the citizens of Boaz showed
this team. It was truly inspiring and made this not-a sports-fan reporter
enjoy the experience that much more.

Since quite a few of the players are seniors who are planning to take their
basketball skill to colleges and universities as they continue their
education, I just want to salute them for an excellent high school run and
wish them all the best with their future.