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You are here: Home / Archives for Drugs

Meth use might be down, the patrol doesn’t plan to let up

September 14, 2009 By admin

A national survey might indicate a drop in methamphetamine use in the country and in Missouri, but don’t expect a drop in the battle against the drug.

Meth use has fallen nearly 60% from 2006 to 2008, according to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health with users totaling slightly more than 300,000. First time use of meth has fallen 60% as well. The survey indicates overall use of illicit drugs has dropped slightly through the United States.

Sgt. Jason Clark of the Missouri Highway Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control says such results are encouraging, especially since meth is such a difficult drug to shake.

"Methamphetamine is absolutely one of the most highly addictive drugs that we know of in law enforcement," Clark says. "Certainly those folks (meth addicts) are willing to sacrifice anything; family, friends, their physical well being."

Clark says while use might be down, meth remains a top priority of the Patrol, especially since Missouri leads in the nation in meth lab busts. Recently the national drug czar announced federal help for state’s struggling against the drug. Clark welcomes the help.

"Anything out there, the federal attention or new legislation, anything that’s going to help us as a law enforcement community or the state of Missouri to help fight this scourge we’re certainly welcoming any type of effort," Clark says.

Meth poses particular problems, according to Clark, because meth labs are dangerously volatile, with explosions a real possibility during any bust. Even if a meth lab has been discarded, it still produces toxic wastes that must be cleaned up. Clark says Missouri law enforcement can be proud of its aggressive campaign against meth, a campaign that will continue despite indications that meth use might be falling.

Download/listen Brent Martin reports (1:15 MP3)

Filed Under: Crime & Courts Tagged With: Drugs, Missouri State Highway Patrol

Missouri no longer alone in meth fight

September 3, 2009 By admin

Missouri has the dubious distinction of being the methamphetamine capital of the country and largely has been left to fight meth on its own. That, though, is changing.

National attention has come to the fight against meth.

The federal drug czar has announced a special anti-math advertising campaign to run in 16 states.

Missouri will be among those states. Missouri ranks first in the nation for Drug Enforcement Administration meth lab seizures and incidents. A southeast Missouri resident named Josh, who has shaken meth addiction, is featured. Dunklin County Drug Court Commissioner Phillip Britt says Josh’s story demonstrates treatment can work and that the meth addiction can be broken.

"If it encourages one family who’s about ready to give up to continue to attempt to have their loved one get treatment for their methamphetamine addiction, then it’s all worthwhile," says Britt.

Britt was Josh’s drug court judge, guiding the young man from Dunklin County through nearly one-and-a-half years of treatment. Missouri has made a name for itself through the use of drug courts , which "sentence" addicts to drug counseling and treatment, normally a 15-to-18 month process. Drug courts have proven successful. Britt points to Josh as a prime example. Josh now counsels those in the grips of alcoholism or drug addiction.

"If his story can affect one other life then he’s glad to tell it," Britt says. "And I’m glad to help him tell it."

The anti-meth campaign will use TV, radio, print, on-line and outdoor advertising. The ad campaign will begin early next year. Information about the ads can be found at MethResources.gov .

Download/listen Brent Martin reports (:60 MP3)

Filed Under: Crime & Courts, Politics & Govt Tagged With: Drugs

Addiction conference underway in St. Louis

August 12, 2009 By admin

The 2009 Midwest Conference on Problem Gambling and Substance Abuse is underway in St. Louis, bringing together more than 200 addiction experts, treatment providers, and representatives of the gambling industry. Experts taking part in this event come from the five-state region of Missouri, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, and Oklahoma.

Candace Peters, Director of Training at the University of Iowa’s Prairieland Addiction Technology Transfer Center and a member of the Midwest Consortium on Problem Gambling and Substance Abuse, says there is quite a bit of ground to cover during this three-day gathering.

“Presenters will discuss a variety of issues from responsibility regarding treatment for problem gambling and substance abuse,” said Peters in an interview with the Missourinet. “They’ll discuss clinician treatment skill building and various issues that surround problem gambling and substance abuse.”

Peters insists solving problems requires a community effort.

“From a national perspective and from extensive research we understand that it’s essential that we work together on multiple platforms – bringing industry, research, and treatment together for problem gambling and substance abuse,” said Peters.

While there might be some links between problem gambling and substance abuse, treatment efforts are guided by the person seeking assistance, so the conference focuses on providing skills to help people on the important individual basis.

“Everyone comes with their own needs, their own understanding, their own suffering – if you will,” said Peters. “The links research tells us, yes, there is some link between the two, however we don’t want to focus on that versus being able to treat the person for what they’re asking us to be able to assist them with.”

Peters says those leaving the conference will exit knowing the importance of a recovery community that includes research, treatment, and even what should be said by a greeter at a casino.

The conference wraps up Friday.

Download/Listen: Steve Walsh report (:60 MP3)

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: Casinos, Drugs, Gambling, St. Louis

Chief Justice Price enjoys dual roles

July 4, 2009 By admin

State Supreme Court Chief Justice Ray Price has taken on more duties than just guiding Missouri’s top court.

Price jokes when asked about his dual roles: he became Chief Justice July 1st, after being elected chairman of the National Association of Drug Court Professionals June 10th.

"Well, I wasn’t a very good golfer anyway, so I suppose I’ll be spending more time in the office and less on the golf course," Price tells reporters.

The concept of drug courts is a passion of Price. He first became interested in them while serving at president of the Kansas City Board of Police Commissioners. He helped develop them in Missouri shortly after being appointed to the Supreme Court in 1992. Price pushed for legislation to formalize the Missouri drug court system and formed a statewide drug court commission. Missouri now has more drug courts per capita than any other state.

Drug courts provide an avenue for non-violent drug offenders to stay out of prison. The courts guide a participant through a year-long program of treatment, which includes counseling and job training. Participants are subjected to frequent drug testing. The goal of the program is to reduce drug-related crime and keep the offender from going right back out and being arrested again.

Price is excited about serving his two-year term as association chairman.

"Drug court is a real different kind of a program," Price says. "It needs the cooperation of the judge, the prosecutor and the defender. If that cooperation is forced, it doesn’t work so well. What we really need are more resources."

Legislators have appropriated $5.5 million a year to drug courts, which have requested between $9-and-10 million. More money means more treatment. The treatment assigned by drug courts costs $2,000 a person. Price argues it not only works, it’s cost-effective, keeping non-violent offenders out of more expensive prison space.

Price has been a strong advocate for more funding for drug courts for years, hitting that theme especially strong during his previous tenure as Chief Justice, from 1999 to 2001. Price also currently serves as chairman of the Drug Court Coordinating Commission of Missouri .

 

Download/listen Brent Martin reports (1:20 MP3)

Filed Under: Crime & Courts, Politics & Govt Tagged With: Drugs, Supreme Court

Authorities cracking down on "shake and bake" meth

June 18, 2009 By admin

There’s a new meth on the market in Missouri as manufacturers of the illegal drug are coming up with ways to further skirt the law and speed up the "cooking" process.

It’s called "shake and bake" and it’s a new way to make methamphetamine without previously necessary chemicals.

Sgt. Jason Clark, public information officer with the Division of Drug and Crime Control for the Missouri Highway Patrol says the traditional methods used anhydrous ammonia or red phosphorous in what’s called "Nazi Dope" or "Red P," respectively. The shake and bake method surpasses both of those ingredients.

It’s basically where manufacturers mix various chemicals in a plastic bottle and agitate them until they crystallize into meth.

But Clark says the shake and bake method might be the most dangerous yet. Since the chemicals used are so volatile when reacting with each other, water and air, an explosive reaction is extremely likely.

Clark says this method is less efficient than the traditional lab/cooking technique, but has become popular in areas where anhydrous ammonia or red phosphorous are not readily available.

A law passed a few years ago put pseudoephedrine-based cold meds, such as Sudafed — another necessary ingredient — behind the counter. The intention of the law was to crack down on meth manufacturing and limit how much of the over-the-counter drug consumers could buy at one time. But now drug task force members say instead of several hundred pills to make a batch of meth, now it only takes a few grams.

A report that came out recently put Missouri at the top of the national list for the number of meth busts and lab seizures or discoveries, but Clark says despite that, the numbers are coming down.

The Highway Patrol says one can look at the numbers in two ways — that there’s more meth in Missouri than anywhere else, or that authorities here are doing a better job in cracking down on the clandestine industry.

The Highway Patrol says shake and bake meth is just another aspect of an ever-changing industry. While "Mexican Ice" was prevalent for awhile because of its low cost in comparison to locally made meth, that is on the decline.

Like any manufacturing industry, the patrol says, the masterminds behind the process are going to continually become more efficient and speed up the turnaround process.

The patrol asks Missourians to keep and eye on their surroundings and report suspicious activity to the authorities, which might include:

– Frequent visitors at all times of the day or night.

– Activity at the house at odd hours or late at night.

– Occupants appear unemployed, yet seem to have plenty of money and pay bills with cash.

– Occupants are unfriendly, appear secretive about activities.

– Extensive security at the home.

– Blackened windows or curtains that are always down.

– Occupants go outside the house to smoke cigarettes.

– Chemical odors coming from the house, garage, or detached buildings.

– Garbage containing numerous bottles and containers.

– Coffee filters, bed sheets or other material stained from filtering red phosphorus or other chemicals.

– Occupants set their garbage for pick up in another neighbor’s collection area.

– Evidence of chemical or waste dumping, such as burn pits or "dead spots" in the yard.

Jessica Machetta reports [Download/listen MP3]

Filed Under: Crime & Courts Tagged With: Drugs, Methamphetamiine, Missouri State Highway Patrol

Kids Count report: child abuse down, high school dropouts up

May 17, 2009 By admin

The annual KidsCount report is out. It provides county-by-county data on the health and wellbeing of Missouri’schildren.

While child abuseand neglect cases in Missouriare down from last year, high school dropout rates are higher.

The Kids Countreport compares information and statistical trends on the conditions of ourstate’s children and families in all 114 counties and the City of Saint Louis.

St. Charles County,just outside of St. Louis,did the best this year. Not the case just a few miles away. St. Louis City scored lowest "across the board," says Scott Gee, director of Citizens for Missouri’sChildren. He says the areas that ranked the lowest are also the state’spoorest.

However, St. Louis did improve its numbers in all categories — save high school dropout rates — over last year.

The report breaksdown the rates for infant mortality, low birth weight, teen pregnancy, students on free or reduced lunches, babies born to mothers without a high school diploma, child deaths, children removed from homes, and violent deaths to teens.

The study also provides a breakout for various economic factors, demographics, family support systems, health and mental health.

For example, St. Louis had 1,226 high school dropouts, or 11.6 percent. St. Charles County had 449 dropouts, or 2.8 percent.

The report states that every day in Missouri:
18 babies are born with a low birth weight
41 children are born to mothers who lack high school diplomas
2 babies die before their ?rst birthday
15 children are removed from their homes
127 children receive attention from the Mo. Department of Social Services
   due to reports of child abuse and neglect
1 child or teen dies
29 teens drop out of school
25 teens between the ages of 15 and 19 give birth
212,369 children live in poverty

Gee says the reportserves local and state policymakers, as well as not-for-profits at the locallevel in identifying needs and boosting certain programs.

To see how your county ranks and individual breakdowns, visit the Citizens for Missouri’s Children Web site.


 

Jessica Machetta reports [Download/listen MP3]

Filed Under: Health & Medicine Tagged With: Child Abuse, Children & Families, Department of Social Services, Domestic Violence, Drugs, Drunk Driving, Fires/Accidents/Disasters, Medicaid, Methamphetamiine, St. Louis

Missouri might soon have Child Support Enforcement Courts

April 28, 2009 By admin

Missouri could try a new experiment; a specialized court to deal with child support.

Drug Courts have worked. Now, the state will try Child Support Enforcement Courts.

"What we want to do is reconnect the fathers with their children and urge them to pay their support obligation properly," House sponsor Tim Jones, a state representative from Eureka, told colleagues during floor debate on SCS SB 140 .

Jones stated that the current system simply isn’t working and the state needs to try something new. Jones says the system doesn’t work now, because a father can’t pay child support if thrown in prison and, once thrown in prison, a father has an even more difficult time landing a job and financially supporting his children.

Rep. Michael Frame (D-Eureka) told Jones parents who have won custody have told him they have lost much more when the other parent has been imprisoned.

"They sure can’t pay while they are in jail and once they come out they will be limited in paying," Frame said.

Jones responded that the current system has become the new version of debtor’s prison. Jones added that as with debtor’s prison, the person thrown in prison can’t repay the debt which keeps growing.

Under the system, circuit courts in Missouri would be allowed to set up the special courts. Parents who fall behind in child support could be referred by a court to education, job training, even drug treatment. Once the person completes the court-assignment or resumes support payments, charges could be dropped. The special courts are expected to save the state $1.5 million by keeping men out of prison and getting them to pay child support.

The bill now goes to the governor.

 

Download/listen Brent Martin reports (1:16 MP3)

Filed Under: Legislature, Politics & Govt Tagged With: Children & Families, Drugs

Temporary public benefits would be withheld from drug users

April 9, 2009 By admin

If someone applying for temporary public assistance is suspected of using drugs they would have to pass a drug tests before Missouri provides benefits under a bill approved in the House.

Rep. Ellen Brandom (R-Sikeston) sponsors HB 30 that would withhold Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, known as TANF, from those who test positive for drugs.

House Minority Leader Paul LeVota (D-Independence) questions Brandom on her intent. LeVota asserts the bill would hurt the children, though Brandom points out that though it withholds from the drug user, it relies on a third party to insure TANF continues to the children. It wouldn’t affect Medicaid or Food Stamps. Those who test positive for drug use would lose TANF benefits for a year.

Critics say the bill would hurt poor families and fails to adequately address the drug addiction, though it calls for those who test positive to be referred to a drug treatment program.

Brandom hopes losing benefits motivates a drug user to kick the habit, but states that if a person is using drugs, the taxpayer shouldn’t be required to subsidize their habit.

The bill passes on a 104-to-45 vote and moves to the Senate. 

Download/listen Brent Martin reports (:60 MP3)

Filed Under: Legislature Tagged With: Drugs

West Platte coach busted for pot

February 20, 2009 By admin

49 year old David Bridger, a West Platte R-II School district teacher’s aide and girls varsity basketball coach was charged with felony possession of marijuana along with his 61 year old wife Dorothy and 22 year old son David in their Platte City home.

Bridger also helps coach football and baseball.  He was placed on administrative leave.  As part of the terms of that leave, Bridger is not allowed to go onto school property of have any contact with students and staff.  Bridger is an aide with elementary special education students.

For more on the story click here .

Filed Under: Human Interest, Sports Tagged With: Drugs

Landis to race in Tour of Missouri bike race

January 26, 2009 By admin

Floyd Landis Floyd Landis, who won the 2006 Tour de France, and was later stripped of that championship for a failed drug test is rumored to race in the 2009 Tour of Missouri bike race, according to several sources.

The Kansas City Star is reporting that the USA Today online edition is reporting that Landis is planning on returning to races in California, Utah, and Missouri.  The St. Louis Examiner also reported that CyclingNews.com is reporting the same story.

Next month, Landis will race in the Tour of California race, his first road race since his two year suspension.  Landis had a high testosterone/epitestosterone ration following the 17th stage of the Tour de France.  He got the two year ban after an arbitration panel voted against his appeal.

Filed Under: Human Interest, Sports Tagged With: Drugs

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