Officials Rue Continuing Meth Woes
Task Force Reaches 6,300 Students During Awareness Month
Last updated Friday, October 31, 2008 6:31 PM CDT in News
By Melissa Sherman
THE MORNING NEWS
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ROGERS -- Methamphetamine remains the No. 1 drug threat in Arkansas, said Bill Bryant of the Arkansas Drug Enforcement Agency at a Friday luncheon marking the end of Methamphetamine Awareness Month.
Bryant spoke to law enforcement officials, legislators and community leaders at the fifth-annual luncheon at Embassy Suites in Rogers.
"The effects of drugs go well beyond crowding the jails and court systems," said Bob Balfe, U.S. Attorney for Western District of Arkansas. Families take the ultimate hit when it comes to drug use, Balfe said.
Since March 2005, the number of small methamphetamine labs has decreased by 60 percent to 70 percent because the precursor drugs used to manufacture the drug were put behind pharmacy counters, Bryant said.
Now though, officials are seeing large influxes of crystal methamphetamine, or "ice," being transported in from Mexico, he said.
There have been some successes. A 2006 police operation resulted in the arrest of Baudilio Castillo of Hindsville, who was involved in drug ring that brought more than 10 pounds of methamphetamine into Arkansas three times a month, Bryant said. Castillo, an illegal immigrant, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison in March.
Bryant said 1 pound of methamphetamine alone can be sold to 1,816 users. The Hindsville arrest netted 66 pounds of methamphetamine.
Third District Rep. John Boozman, R-Rogers, told the crowd when he was first elected in 2000, roughly 70 to 75 percent of crime in the area was related to methamphetamine.
Posters displayed at the luncheon sadly show that the statistic still stands that 75 percent, Boozman said.
The area is seeing an increase in child abuse related to methamphetamine use, shelters are overwhelmed and families need financial help when a family member goes to jail on drugs charges, inevitably costing the taxpayers money, Boozman said.
"Our commitment as a legislature is to get you more tools to fight the problem," Boozman said, adding that means also funding rehabilitation.
The crimes related to methamphetamine use range from hot checks to burglaries, where people are trying to steal items to pawn to buy drugs, Balfe said.
Benton County Drug Task Force officials traveled during October to schools in the county, presenting awareness programs to more than 6,300 students, said Megan Cuddy, director of the Rogers-Lowell Chamber of Commerce.
"When it comes to meth, not in my backyard," said Casey Croxton, chairman of Drug Free Rogers-Lowell.
This month the organization put together a new information DVD on methamphetamine, had more than 8,000 hits on its Web site and ran roughly 300 public service announcements on cable TV, Croxton said.
Reader Comments (7 comment(s))
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tootsie wrote on Nov 1, 2008 11:51 AM:
cybertech wrote on Nov 1, 2008 4:11 PM:
I have watched first hand the destruction meth has on families. I also watched three children suffer the consequences. I worked hard to intervene, not sure if it made a difference or not in the lives of those involved as I have no idea where the individuals are at now, but I hope it did.
There is a lot of truth in the amount of meth being transported across the southern border of the U.S. and Jones no they are not "all" to blame but they are a big cause and if you cant see that then you are deluding yourself.
Securing the boarders and cracking down on illegals and illegal drugs crossing the border would put a big dent in the problem of illegal drugs. It may not stop it completely but it would slow it down quite a bit.
Also cracking (no pun intended here, lol) down harder on local and interstate trafficking of illegal substances will help to put a bigger dent in the problem.
Law enforcement is doing a great job, the courts, not so great. With concerns to the courts, I say No More Deals! "
PropagandaBuster wrote on Nov 2, 2008 9:10 AM:
For example, most people do not realize that there is a system in place that allows Mexicans to cross back and forth across the border everyday. These people go mostly unchecked as far searches because they cross everyday all day long and are recognized by the authorities. This allows importation of smaller quantities of illegal drugs to hand carried to the U.S. with little risk of being caught. Then it is simply passed off to another carrier that collects and stores it for further distribution throughout the U.S. Add that to the myriad of people crossing in and out of Mexico everyday, under staffing, paid off officers, and under funding, makes it very difficult to intercept even a fraction of what actually makes it across. And this is just one example of a small piece of the larger picture.
I love this country and served in the military and law enforcement. But having experienced it for myself, my advise is to do your own research and don't just believe what the gov't tells you, lies are always mixed with truth. "
tootsie wrote on Nov 3, 2008 5:55 AM:
recross1 wrote on Nov 3, 2008 7:13 AM:
Another badly abused in place system is the NAFTA agreement which allows trucking etc in and out of america from mexico,right past the border patrol,who can not be expected to stop and search each and every truck or vehicle.
If you would either stop this or greatly reduce the number being allowed free flow accross our borders,a great deal of the drugs and illegal immigrants would also decrease.
I to am afraid one of our presidentail canditates idea of allowing asylum and legal status to the hundred thousands of illegals is a bad bad idea.Its not only the hispanics,its the chineese,pakistanies,all of these 3rd world countries citizens that come here on temp visas or visitation visas and never leave,they all must not be allowed to stay.It has proven to be a great way for politicians to aguire votes but has put millions of americans and I include all americans,both those who are born here and those who became citizens LEGALLY,the harm that has been done is monsterous and the politicians dont see it because they dont have to worry about an illegal immigrant taking thier job,thus they dont care.We the backbone of the american way of life are the ones paying the price.And closing these avenues of entry to all illegal immigrants will greatly reduce the influx of drugs and illegal immigrants "
Not already registered?
Gramps wrote on Nov 1, 2008 12:12 AM: