News Release - Etheridge, First Responders Discuss Growing Problem of Meth

News Release
Congressman Bob Etheridge
North Carolina

August 31, 2004

Contact: Sara Lang
Phone: (202) 225-4531

Etheridge, First Responders Discuss Growing Problem of Meth

RALEIGH - U.S. Rep. Bob Etheridge (D-Lillington) today hosted a congressional summit to discuss the growing problem of methamphetamine labs in the 2nd Congressional District. Etheridge, a member of the Congressional Meth Caucus and the House Select Committee on Homeland Security, held the Raleigh summit to bring together local first responders and representatives from local, state and federal agencies. Last year, law enforcement shut down 177 meth labs in North Carolina, up from just nine in 1999. Already this year 216 labs have been shut down, putting the state on pace for another sizeable increase.

"Meth is a dangerous and growing problem in North Carolina that affects our families, our communities and our first responders," Etheridge said. "The upsurge of meth labs in eastern North Carolina is putting a strain on our local first responders and creating a dangerous undercurrent in our communities. With everyday materials and a little knowledge, meth producers can create a dangerous habit and a dangerous environment. Today's event gave me as well as our local first responders an opportunity to hear firsthand what all levels of government are doing to combat meth and to identify additional steps we need to take to reign in this problem."

Lt. Scott Parker of the Nash County Sheriff's Office told the group about Nash County's efforts to implement a plan for handling methamphetamine labs. Nash County used Watauga County's meth plan as a guide in formulating their own, saving time and resources. He emphasized the importance of involving all the appropriate agencies and being prepared. Lt. Chad Thompson of the Johnston County Sheriff's Office reiterated the importance of all agencies and officers "reading from the same sheet of music" and educating the public and retailers on the everyday products that can be used to produce meth. Lt. Thompson told a story of finding a meth lab in a toolbox in a truck, illustrating the challenges that law enforcement faces in recognizing meth production.

Dr. Kenneth B. Taylor, director of the N.C. Division of Emergency Management, and Van Shaw, assistant special agent in charge at the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) provided the state-level perspective on combating meth labs. Dr. Taylor discussed the state response to busting and cleaning up meth labs and the importance of leveraging homeland security funding and other funding sources to help localities fight the spread of meth labs. Shaw presented photographs and statistics from meth lab busts around the state. So far this year, 79 children have been found living in meth labs, emphasizing the danger posed by meth to children and families. On average, it costs between $3,000 and $10,000 to shut down a single meth lab, with much of that cost being borne by the federal government. Both the chemical and violent byproducts of meth labs are extremely dangerous, and 27 first responders have been injured in meth lab busts in the last 24 months.

John Emerson, assistant special agent in charge at the Drug Enforcement Agency (SBI) and David Martinez, special agent at the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) offered the federal perspective and described the progress that other states and localities have made with meth labs. For fiscal year 2004, DEA will spend $25 million to clean up meth labs. In North Carolina, the DEA has trained 155 personnel to find and shut down meth labs.

Etheridge, a member of the House Meth Caucus, is working to bring more federal resources to North Carolina to combat methamphetamine production and distribution.