Caledonia Argus

Meth presentations set for county

Posted: 1/13/04

By Brenda Leigh Pohlman
Health Educator

In response to recent increases in methamphetamine seizures and use in Fillmore and Houston Counties, Fillmore County Public Health, Houston County Public Health, and the Minnesota Department of Health are hosting an educational event called ìMethamphetamines in Rural America.î

Deborah Durkin from the Minnesota Department of Health will discuss issues surrounding methamphetamine use and production in rural Minnesota. These presentations will discuss the history and health effects of methamphetamines, protection of children in homes or other settings where meth has been made, citizen response to labs, and proper protection and procedures for cleaning up meth labs.

Two identical presentations will be held on Monday, January 26, from 9:30-11:30 a.m. at the La Crescent Middle/High School Auditorium and from 6-8 p.m. at the Caledonia Middle/High School Auditorium. There will also be two presentations in Room 108 of the Fillmore County Office Building in Preston from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. on Tuesday, January 27. The presentations are free to the public and certificates of attendance will be available upon request.

Law enforcement personnel, health and human service professionals, housing and utilities personnel, park and recreation personnel, pharmacy staff, store owners, agricultural dealers, realtors and rental agency staff, clinic staff, media, and community members are strongly encouraged to attend.

Methamphetamines are illegal drugs made from hazardous and toxic materials that affect the mind, body, and self-control of the users. These drugs may cause the user to experience sleeping difficulties, sensitivity to noises, anorexia, heart problems, mood swings, and nervousness. Severe addiction and use of methamphetamines can also result in death.

Several indicators such as increased emergency room appearances, drug seizures, and youth reports suggest that Minnesota has an ever-increasing problem with methamphetamine manufacturing, distribution, and abuse.

According to the Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN) report published in October 2002, Minneapolis ranked sixth in emergency room visits for methamphetamine use in 2001 and was the only city listed from the Midwest. From 2000 to 2001 emergency doctor mentions of patient methamphetamine use in Minnesota more than doubled from 153 to 321. Approximately two-thirds of 321 methamphetamine-related emergencies in 2000 involved people between the ages of 18 and 34.

The Minnesota crime lab handled 883 cases dealing with methamphetamines in 2001 and 1,975 cases from January to September 2002. Reports from the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) also illustrate the abundance of the methamphetamine labs in this country.

The DEA shut down 138 Minnesota labs in 2000, 236 in 2001, and 230 by November of 2002. The Southeast Minnesota Narcotics Task Force Coordinator and Fillmore County Sheriff, James Connolly, reported that 14% of the 439 arrests in Southeastern Minnesota for narcotics in 2001 were attributed to methamphetamines. In 2002, 1219.75 grams were seized and 114.3 grams were purchased. Also in 2002 a total of 26 labs were seized, 10 methamphetamine dumpsites were located, and 108 arrests were made which accounted for 21% of all drug-related arrests. From January to March 2003, the Southeast Narcotics Task Force seized 1040.81 grams and purchased 122.7 grams of methamphetamine. They also seized 11 labs and handled 12 dumpsites. In addition, first quarter arrests for 2003 illustrated that methamphetamines were responsible for 30% of all drug-related arrests.

Ninth and 12th graders in Fillmore and Houston Counties reported using methamphetamines within the last 12 months. Youth from both counties reported using methamphetamines more in the past year than ecstasy, heroin, and barbiturates.

For more information please contact Fillmore County Public Health at (507)-765-3898 or Houston County Public Health at (507)-725-5810.

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