Vigilance urged about dangers, dealing of meth

When local law enforcement officers attempted to make a routine traffic stop recently, they made several discoveries that resulted in the arrest of the driver.

According to Fort Scott Police Lt. Travis Shelton, just after 1 a.m. on Feb. 12, an FSPD officer spotted a vehicle that was driving down the road with the turn signal on for an extended period of time. Near the corner of Washington and Oak streets, the officer pulled the Pontiac Bonneville driven by Jeremy Willey to the side of the road to inform Willey that his turn signal was still blinking.

Once at the vehicle, the officer quickly discovered Willey was driving with a suspended drivers' license. Upon further investigation, the officer found Willey was in possession of methamphetamines and drug paraphernalia. Willey was arrested for the suspended license, drug paraphernalia and possession of methamphetamines. In addition, there is an ongoing investigation into a suspicion that he was manufacturing meth.

According to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, www.kdheks.gov, meth is produced in various forms, and is very addictive.

"Meth is a synthetic amphetamine or stimulant that is produced and sold illegally in pill form, capsules, powder or chunks," the KDHE Web site said. "Meth is extremely addictive and can be smoked, snorted, injected or eaten."

Using meth, which is often referred to as crank, crystal-meth, glass, ice, speed, zip and quartz, will cause permanent damage to the brain, according to the Web site.

"The presence of meth in the brain causes the brain to release an enzyme that destroys the surplus dopamine in the brain," the Web site said. "The enzyme will destroy the brain's ability to produce dopamine over time. The use of meth results in a permanent altering of the brain's natural chemistry. In other words, meth causes brain damage."

According to the Kansas Bureau of Investigations, www.accesskansas.org, there are several signs that indicate meth manufacturing. When meth is being manufactured, it produces a strong odor similar to urine or an unusual chemical smell such as ether, ammonia or acetone. In addition, there will be little traffic during the day at a residence which contains a meth lab. However late night traffic will be heavy.

A meth lab residence will often have its windows covered so no person can see inside and the people who live in the house may smoke outside of the residence because of the fumes. There may be lab materials such as lantern fuel cans, red chemically stained coffee filters, clear glass jugs and duct tape around the property. Often laboratories which manufacture meth are located in barns, outbuildings, hotel rooms, apartments, storage sheds, garages and vacant buildings. The effects of a meth laboratory can continue to harm those who come in contact with them for a long time.

"Hazardous chemicals may be dumped on the ground or in nearby streams and lakes, or simply left behind," the Web site said. "These toxic waste products can remain for a long time as residue on bathtubs, toilets or sinks. As an example, motel rooms and apartments that are used to make meth can be a health risk to the next unsuspecting tenants."

According to Shelton, area residents who may have knowledge of illegal drug activity should contact the local police department immediately. It is also important to report the license tag numbers of any suspicious vehicles in addition to the descriptions of people who are going in and out of a residence where illegal drug activity is suspected to be taking place, Shelton said.