Submitted by admin on Sat, 2005-10-08 02:00. ::
A major drain on local, state and federal resources, Methamphetamine use and manufacturing has grown to near epidemic proportions in Illinois. Not yet the problem of big cities, this cancerous growth has taken up residence in rural communities—communities within Marion County. The relative ease and speed in which this drug can be made, ensures its eventual impact on every citizen of Marion County.
Not just a problem for someone else, meth finds its way into the lives of everyone in the community at some level. The degree of separation for citizens of this area and the effects of methamphetamine is zero.
It is impossible to calculate the millions or even billions of dollars spent on this problem, but the depth that it travels into the system gives a frightening picture of the expense to the taxpayer. The dismantling of labs, residual crimes committed by meth users, arrests and prosecutions, fires and injuries from meth lab explosions and accidents are a few areas requiring more tax dollars. The effects on children impact health care, social services and education costs. Theft of ingredients also falls upon taxpayers, with higher prices in retail stores and on agricultural supplies.
Affecting the central nervous system, meth is a stimulant produced and sold in pill form, capsules, powder, and chunks. Also, known as crank, speed, crystal, or ice, meth is usually smoked, snorted or injected, and has a high potential for abuse and dependence. Handed down like a twisted family recipe, the average meth “cook” will hand down their recipe to 10 other people in a year, creating the potential for even greater growth.
The simple manufacturing process, and ingredients that are easily purchased in most retail stores, make the occurrence of meth labs all too frequent. DEA records show 310 meth lab clean ups for its Fairview Heights office, which covers Marion County, in FY 2005.
Not immune to this drug, Salem has experienced noticeable effects from its use and production. During the manufacturing process, the chemicals used become volatile and dangerous, placing the producers, their children, and anyone else in the vicinity in danger from toxic fumes, burns, fires and explosions. Two Salem police officers have suffered injuries from anhydrous ammonia, and a local rental house is still boarded up after a meth lab inside exploded.
“Not only was this a danger in the neighborhood when it happened, but it's now a blight in the city, it looks horrible,” stated Salem Police Chief Ron Campo.
According to Campo, drug arrests are up, while overall crime in Salem has gone down in the past year, and meth lab discoveries have decreased. He attributes the success to Salem's aggressive approach to the crime.
“The word is out that Salem takes this serious. These people suffer from severe paranoia, let that work for you; let them worry about us being everywhere,” he explained.
Mentioning a raid last July 4, Campo said, “There were 11 people in this trailer house, this meth house, and they just kept coming out. I couldn't believe how many there were.” Because of the 93-percent recidivism rate for meth users, Campo frequently sees the same faces repeatedly.
Because of the inability to sleep, meth users often occupy their time with scavenging and collecting bizarre items. Campo noticed a common item found among meth users is scanners.
While Campo's department relieves its budget through subsidizing from seized money and goods that goes into a drug forfeiture fund, overtime costs must come out of the general fund, which is supported by taxpayers. The Salem Police Department also takes advantage of the Illinois Law Enforcement Alarm System, which provides funds for needed equipment.
Campo stated that he believes better resources for recovery should be a priority in controlling the problem. He predicts the eventual growth of methamphetamine use and manufacturing in the Chicago area, stating that labs have recently been discovered in the area, with one exploding in an apartment building.
“I don't see this as a big issue up north, but I do have to credit (Attorney General) Lisa Madigan. She has been great as far as getting training down here and bringing speakers in, she's awesome,” Campo claimed.
Unfortunately, the decrease in lab discoveries in Salem is probably not representative of Marion County as a whole. Campo believes that many manufacturers have simply moved out of the city.
Adding weight to Campo's belief that manufacturers have moved out of the city, the Marion County Sheriff's Department has discovered 10 meth labs so far this year, and 13 labs last year. According to Sheriff Brad Wolenhaupt, methamphetamine-related crimes are a major reason for his jail remaining full.
When users are coming down from their high, they experience what is referred to as “tweaking.” Wolenhaupt stated that this is the time that users are the most dangerous.
“They're highly aggressive. That is the time that you have to worry about them more. They're generally not that hard to deal with until they're coming down,” the sheriff explained.
Incarceration prevents users from getting their desired drug. This inevitably places other inmates and jailers in danger of aggression from an inmate going through withdrawal.
Because of the elevated condition of their bodies, meth users display a number of obvious physical symptoms. Wolenhaupt quoted health estimates for meth users, stating, “The life expectancy of a regular user is about five years.” Besides the severe weight loss, sores on the face and body are often the result of tactile hallucinations. The user imagines bugs are crawling on their skin, and scratch until they bleed.
Wolenhaupt went on to explain that the lesions are often from chemical compounds coming out of the body. Often these sores become infected and pose even greater health problems for the user.
The State of Illinois mandates dental care for people in jail. Because of the poor condition of meth users teeth, the jail must provide much needed extractions and other dental care.
While Wolenhaupt also believes that better resources and rehabilitation is the key to fighting this drug, he does not believe that the problem is receiving the attention it needs from a federal or state level.
The prevalence of agriculture in the area — resulting in a need for anhydrous ammonia — and the rural setting creates a more favorable setting for meth manufacturing.
Meth addiction does not restrict itself to the poor and uneducated. According to Wolenhaupt, “We have individuals in this country who are highly educated, professional people that are involved with this drug. I don't know that an individual's social status has much of an effect if they're going to be using this particular drug,” he said.
She mentioned the added dangers for her probation officers due to the new hazards found in and around homes of probation clients who are involved with meth. Shoemaker added that a closer relationship between law enforcement, DCFS and her office is one positive thing to come of the meth problem.
This is cache, read story here
