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| 31 October 2001 Steady Progress Against Methamphetamine Meth Strike Force Report Card Shows Fewer Local Meth Labs, and More Treatment Available for Drug Users SAN DIEGO, CA – The terrorist attacks that began seven weeks ago today rocked our nation, affecting many aspects of our daily lives. In the shadow of those events, Americans get on with their daily lives, seeking solutions to other problems that existed long before the attacks, and may linger into the future. Two things remain constant here in San Diego County: the presence of methamphetamine, and the Methamphetamine Strike Force’s commitment to fighting it. “Many people in San Diego County deal with the problems caused by methamphetamine every day,” said Second District Supervisor Dianne Jacob. “Meth isn’t going away. Meth-making chemicals were found in that huge ecstasy lab seized in Escondido this month. And Customs agents seized two big shipments of similar chemicals at the border this month. “We are making important progress in the fight against the drug, and the problems it causes in our communities,” said Jacob. “The evidence is in the Methamphetamine Strike Force Status Report and Report Card presented to the Board of Supervisors today.” “Methamphetamine production has dramatically fallen in our county, but it’s increasing in neighboring counties,” said Rodger G. Lum, Ph.D., director of the County Health and Human Services Agency and co-chair of the Methamphetamine Strike Force. “That means the drug is still readily available throughout Southern California. San Diego County is doing well by making modest reductions in methamphetamine-related problems.” One important statistic is the number of arrestees who test positive for methamphetamine, according to Rich Robinson of the Chief Administrative Officer’s office. “In 2000, 28 percent of adult arrestees tested positive for meth. That’s the third year in a row that the percentage declined, and it’s the lowest number since the Meth Strike Force was formed.” Admissions to drug-treatment programs for methamphetamine users have increased by 14 percent since 1995. “The county is expanding its capacity for drug treatment,” said Robinson. “More meth users are seeking help, without displacing people who need help with other drug problems.” In 2000, there were 140 meth-related deaths in San Diego County. While that number increased since 1999, it is fewer meth-related deaths than in 1995, the year before the Meth Strike Force was created. “Seizures of drug labs decreased in San Diego County in 2000,” Robinson says. “Larger meth labs are being found in other counties, and the labs found here tend to be smaller operations.” “Drug labs can’t cook methamphetamine without key ingredients,” said Supervisor Jacob. “By cutting off those supplies, we can make it harder for meth labs to operate. Sheriff’s deputies in Vista and San Diego Police are working with stores, training retail clerks to recognize when someone buys supplies for a drug lab. Clerks are also learning about laws restricting the sale of some over-the-counter drugs sometimes used to make methamphetamine.” Vista COPPS deputies have already trained more than 150 clerks. San Diego Police have distributed brochures listing precursor chemicals, and will begin training retailers in March. Retail clerks and others who suspect illegal drug activity have a high-tech tool to report it. By going on-line to the Methamphetamine Strike Force website, www.no2meth.org, anyone can report illegal drug activity, after clicking on the section titled “Stop Meth Crime.” People seeking treatment for a drug problem can also use the website, as well as the Strike Force Hot-line. The Hot-line number is 1-877-No 2 Meth. “The Strike Force will build on our successes,” said Dr. Lum. “We’ll continue to expand the county’s capacity to provide drug treatment. And we’ll continue to work with other counties, sharing information to combat methamphetamine across Southern California.” |
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