A & E Meth in the City Documentary

A & E Meth in the City

Meth has always been a largely poor, white, rural phenomenon. But new law enforcement initiatives have restricted sales of Sudafed, destroying the small labs where meth was being made and creating an opportunity for Mexican cartels, which already have distribution networks in place, to send meth into urban areas.

The first city caught in Meth’s grip is Atlanta, Georgia… the eastern hub of legitimate trade as well as drug traffic.

This special takes a multi-faceted look at this new phenomenon–at the users; the activists who are trying to save Read more

Karla Klear Sky: A Meth Addict’s Mother’s Memoir

KARLA KLEAR SKY: A Meth Addict’s Mother’s Memoir

A mother’s life explodes when she discovers her son is a meth addict. As he disappears into addiction, it takes her with him, until she learns, parents can recover even if their children don’t. This riveting story tells the savage truth: Addiction stalks children with a single-minded purpose to kill its host and the family near and dear to it. Lifted from a private journal and dotted with humor, but also graphic and explicit, it equips parents. This blunt confessional is a multi-media project that fast-forwards relief. Powerful and deeply moving.

Excerpt from Karla Klear Sky. . .

“Joshua was a star athlete and scholar, a kind and loving magnet who drew people to him with an electric smile as big as his warm heart … a sweet little boy who left love notes on my pillow and hugged me hard and long. But now he’s a stranger.

You know something’s wrong when you dread coming home. When you don’t hit the door and kick off your shoes but run for the toilet and spray Read more

The History of Meth began in 1887

What is the history of methamphetamine or meth?

The history of meth began with it’s discovery by Germany in 1887. A century later, countries all over the world are spending billions of dollars to fight and treat the problems created by methamphetamine, a drug now called “the devil”.

First synthesized in 1887 Germany, amphetamine was for a long time, a drug in search of a disease. Nothing was done with the drug,from its discovery (synthesis) until the late 1920’s, when it was seriously investigated as a cure or treatment against nearly everything from depression to decongestant.

In the 1930’s, amphetamine was marketed as Benzedrine in an over-the-counter inhaler to treat nasal congestion (for asthmatics, hay fever sufferers, and people with colds). A probable direct reaction to the Depression and Prohibition, the drug was used and abused by non-asthmatics looking for a buzz. By 1937 amphetamine was available by prescription in tablet form.

Methamphetamine, more potent and easy to make, was discovered in Japan in 1919. The crystalline powder was soluble in water, making it a perfect candidate for injection. It is still legally produced in the U.S., sold under the trade name Desoxyn.

During World War II, amphetamines were widely used to keep the fighting men going (during the Vietnam war, American soldiers used more amphetamines than the rest of the world did during WWII). In Japan, intravenous methamphetamine abuse reached epidemic proportions immediately after World War II, when supplies stored for military use became available to the public.

In the United States in the 1950s, legally manufactured tablets of both dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine) and methamphetamine (Methedrine) became readily available and were used non medically by college students, truck drivers, and athletes, As use of amphetamines spread, so did their abuse. Amphetamines became a cure-all for such things as weight control to treating mild depression.

This pattern changed drastically in the 1960s with the increased availability of injectable methamphetamine. The 1970 Controlled Substances Act severely restricted the legal production of injectable methamphetamine, causing its use to decrease greatly.

Methamphetamine trafficking and abuse in the United States have been on the rise over the past few years, as indicated by investigative, seizure, price, purity, and abuse data (see “trends” below). As a result, this drug is having a devastating impact in many communities across the nation. Although more common in western areas of the country, this impact increasingly is being felt in areas not previously familiar with the harmful effects of this powerful stimulant.

Clandestine production accounts for almost all of the methamphetamine trafficked and abused in the United States. The illicit manufacture of methamphetamine can be accomplished in a variety of ways, but is produced most commonly using the ephedrine/pseudoephedrine reduction method. Large-scale production of methamphetamine using this method is dependent on ready access to bulk quantities of ephedrine and pseudoephedrine. During the past two years, several bulk ephedrine seizures destined for Mexico focused attention on the magnitude of ephedrine acquisition by organized crime drug groups operating from Mexico and in the United States, and set in motion an effort to focus international attention on the ephedrine diversion problem and to take action to prevent such diversion.

Drug law enforcement efforts against clandestine methamphetamine producers constitute a “cat and mouse” game between efforts to cut off chemical supplies and efforts to obtain them from non-regulated sources. Past experience has demonstrated that methamphetamine traffickers are relentless, flexible, and creative in finding new ways to obtain chemicals by evading the network of international controls that has been established. The Federal Government currently is preparing regulations to further reduce the diversion of pharmaceutical products containing chemicals, such as ephedrine and pseudoephedrine, that can be used to produce illegal drugs. It has consulted with corporations within the pharmaceutical industry to develop a solution to the diversion problem that does not unduly restrict the availability of these chemicals for legitimate use.

Domestically, large-scale production of methamphetamine is centered in California. In addition, methamphetamine increasingly is produced in Mexico and smuggled into the United States. Methamphetamine laboratory operators often are well-armed, and their laboratories occasionally are booby-trapped and equipped with scanning devices employed as security precautions. Weaponry, ranging from single firearms to arsenals of high-powered weapons and explosives, are commonly found at laboratory sites. Not only are methamphetamine laboratories used to manufacture illegal, often deadly drugs, but the clandestine nature of the manufacturing process and the presence of ignitable, corrosive, reactive, and toxic chemicals at the sites have resulted in explosions, fires, toxic fumes, and irreparable damage to human health and to the environment.

Traditionally, the suppliers of methamphetamine throughout the United States have been outlaw motorcycle gangs and numerous other independent trafficking groups. Although these groups continue to produce and distribute methamphetamine, organized crime drug groups operating from Mexico currently dominate wholesale methamphetamine trafficking in the United States for several reasons: these organizations established access to wholesale ephedrine sources of supply on the international market; these organizations are producing unprecedented quantities of high-purity methamphetamine on a regular basis; and, they already control well-established cocaine, heroin, and marijuana distribution networks throughout the western United States, enabling them to supply methamphetamine to a large retail level market. Their expansion into the methamphetamine trade has added a new dimension to their role in the U.S. drug market and has redefined the methamphetamine problem in the United States. Presently, these organizations are poised to supply methamphetamine to the rest of the country in response to any increases in demand.

Florida: Bay County and Franklin County Sherriffs team up to arrest 15 for manufacturing meth

Bay County, Florida – The Bay County Sheriff’s Office and the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office arrested 15 individuals who are now facing 41 drug charges. According to yesterday’s press release by the Bay County Sheriff’s Office “Three meth lab certified investigators from the Franklin County Sheriffs Office spent 10 days with the BCSO Methamphetamine Drug (MAD) Unit to assist in meth lab investigations and enforcement. Some of the labs were found in vehicles, others in homes. Other drugs seized along with Read more

FBI investigation ends with 4 arrested for meth distribution in Massachusetts

Four Worcester residents are facing serious drug trafficking charges that began in California and ended in a parking lot in Massachusetts. According to affidavits, 23 year-old Kenneth Sparks, a Worcester, Massachusetts resident met with two Mexican nationals in California and agreed to drive a Ford Explorer containing “hidden cash” to Georgia for them earlier this month. He told the FBI, that he’d driven for them before, but his cargo was usually marijuana. Sparks, who received an honorable discharge from the Army National Guard in January, says he wore his Army fatigues to avoid having anyone question his activities. Driving cash would be a piece of cake, compared to the risks involved with driving marijuana. But driving the cash back to his home in Worcester, Massachusetts,  that would make this deal even sweeter.

On May 1, 2009, Sparks stopped his truck when he arrived in Chicopee, MA and carefully lowered the gas tank to find out why he could smell gasoline. There, above the tank, is where he says he found several bags of crystal meth, not cash. With meth in-hand, Sparks says he then took a cab to his home in Worcester and called his friend Johnny McCoy, who he hoped could find a buyer for the meth. After a quick sample, McCoy agreed to try to find someone to buy the meth. Two days later, Sparks says  his apartment was robbed and the meth was gone. He also says he reported the break-in to the Worcester police, but didn’t talk about the missing meth that police estimate was worth somewhere between $100,000 to $150,000 on the street.

His friend, Johnny McCoy, did what he promised. He found someone who had a “biker friend”, who’d be willing to buy a lot of the crystal meth. The date was set – Honey Farms on Highland Street, May 8. Ivonne Lugo then grabbed a large plastic bag, put it in the trunk of her Toyota Corolla and drove to Johnny’s apartment, where he put another bag in the trunk of her car. It was time to make the deal at Honey Farms. Ivonne drove her Toyota Corolla. Johnny, Anthony, and another man arrived in a Nissan Maxima. The buyer showed up right on time too – it was an FBI informant.

The suspects, Kenneth J. Sparks, 23, Anthony McCoy, 22, Johnny McCoy, 21, and Ivonne Lugo, 22, are all facing charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Kenneth Sparks has also been charged with possession.

Source:  Foskett Jr, Steven H, “Intricate meth tale four suspects” 5/20/09, Telegram & Gazette, http://www.telegram.com/article/20090520/NEWS/905200396/1116

Hormonal Chaos by Sheldon Krimsky – Is there a link between toxins and our health?

Hormonal Chaos: The Scientific and Social Origins of the Environmental Endocrine Hypothesis

Is there a link between environmental toxins and endocrine disease? Sheldon Krimsky, the author of Hormonal Chaos,  believes that there is.  Krimsky believes that the chemicals in our environment are causing reproductive, neurological, and developmental abnormalities in humans and in wildlife.  His book is backed by scientifically sound data that has gained supporters in the fields of science and government, based on the evidence that he presents in his book.  But, he just doesn’t talk about his hypothesis, he explains the reasons  for it, how the scientific community has responded to it, the challenges that face policy makers, and attitudes about public safety.

Opinions about Hormonal Chaos:

Synthetic thyroid is one of the most prescribed medications in the world. Thyroid disease is on the rise. Any person who ever faced infertility, prostate cancer or most cancer for that matter, reduced cognitive function, congestive Read more

Children of Methamphetamine Involved Families: The Case of Rural Illinois

Children of Methamphetamine-Involved Families: The Case of Rural Illinois – Methamphetamine not only destroys the lives of those who become addicted to it, but affects all corners of society, including innocent children. This important book follows the case of rural Illinois, where in the mid-1990s methamphetamine production and misuse became a significant problem and, as a result, child welfare professionals saw an influx onto their caseloads of children whose parents were involved with the drug. The authors’ account of the problems the children face, and of the efforts to help them, sheds useful light on possibilities for many other situations. Read more

Decontaminate a meth lab: What you have to do when the police leave

What happens after the police bust a home that’s been used as a meth lab? When there has been a meth lab bust at the home, an initial cleanup of the property will be conducted by a Hazmat crew that will be called in by the police. The Hazmat team will remove any containers and chemicals that they find on the property, afterwhich a sign should be posted on the property warning others that the property is unsafe. The removal of the containers, chemicals and other drug paraphernalia that are found at a meth lab are just the first step in the process of a meth lab clean up.

Step two is the decontamination process, which includes the removal of the chemicals that remain inside of the home. Responsibility for the decontamination of a former meth lab is given to the home owner, including the cost of hiring professionals who are skilled at removing any remaining toxic chemical residues in the home. Certified professionals must insure that a home or other property meets all standards set by the state where the home is located.

Some states require that “cleaned” properties meet strict state regulations about the chemical contaminants that remain in homes where meth has been manufactured, however not all states do. Self-cleaning a property is not recommended as the cleaning chemicals can react with the chemicals that remain in the home, which can have unpredictable and life threatening health and safety consequences.

Current laws say that removing the chemicals and containers found at a meth lab site, is all that state and local agencies are required to do after a meth lab has been discovered. After the police leave, it’s up to the property owner to pay for the expense of decontaminating their property.

Atlanta meth bust nets 351 pounds of ice hidden in the walls of 2 Duluth GA houses

Federal authorities found 351 pounds of meth hidden in the walls of 2 Duluth, GA homes on Wednesday, a drug stash that would have reaped tens of millions of dollars on the street. The recent meth bust in Gwinnett County is the largest seizure of Mexican crystal methamphetamine that’s ever been recorded east of the Mississippi River.

Rodney Benson, who heads the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Atlanta field reported that the homes were sparsely furnished, which he says is typical of homes being used by drug traffickers. No guns were found in the homes, that were situated in a quiet, Read more

Pennsylvania: Operation Cave-in shuts down meth lab operation 23 arrested

Video Operation Cave-in: Pennsylvania Attorney General Tom Corbett reports the arrests of 23 people involved with cooking meth. Pennsylvania Attorney General Tom Corbett announced the investigation, known as “Operation Cave-In,” allegedly run by Rockne K. (Rocky) Barber Sr., 62, of 271 Henderson Road, Stoneboro. Police say that Barber made meth in a man-made cave in a hillside near his home. Police say that all 23 of the suspects were involved in buying psuedoephedrine and the other chemicals needed to make meth.