Drug problems taking toll on small towns

By Staff
Sixth in a series
Tracy B. Cieniewicz, Hartselle Enquirer
Even the smallest towns are affected by the nation’s largest drug problems, so the city of Hartselle has its own investigations division to stop those problems in their tracks.
The Hartselle Police Department Narcotics Investigations Division investigates all felony drug cases within the city of Hartselle, as well as some misdemeanor cases, and works to educate the community on drug trends and activities.
Lt. Justin Barley explained to the Hartselle Police Department Citizens Academy how cases are generated and worked. He said the most common cases handled by the Narcotics Division are arrests for felony possession of a controlled substance, such as crack cocaine, methamphetamine and prescription pills.
The most common cases for the HPD Patrol Division are arrests for illegal possession of marijuana in small “personal use” amounts and drug paraphernalia.
Drug paraphernalia seized by HPD includes glass pipes, water bongs, electronic scales and hypodermic needles.
In 2005, HPD made approximately 207 arrests for drug-related offenses with 70 handled by the Narcotics Division. Of those, 77 arrests were made for possession of marijuana and six arrests were made for felony marijuana possession.
In addition to marijuana, 49 grams of methamphetamine, 24 grams of cocaine, 50 grams of ephedrine, and 52 prescription pills were seized.
Barley focused most of his presentation on the production and disposal of methamphetamine. The production of meth in Alabama had reached epidemic proportions in recent years until the state passed a law July 1, 2005, limiting the sale of ephedrine--the sole active ingredient in the production of the illegal and highly addictive drug.
Barley said meth is most commonly produced or “cooked” in home labs with ingredients and tools commonly found at any major retail or hardware store.
He said meth is a powerfully addictive stimulant with a high potential for abuse. It affects the central nervous system and makes users volatile, paranoid and extremely unhealthy.
The dangers of meth labs include injury or death caused by explosions, fires, chemical and acid burns, and inhalation of deadly gases. Barley noted that labs contain carcinogenic chemicals that can contribute to health problems that may not surface until years after exposure.
Ingredients used to cook meth include alcohol, methanol, red phosphorous, hydriodic acid, iodine crystals, drain-opening liquid, ether and camping fuel.
Officer Jim Webster donned a protective Hazmat suit to demonstrate to the class what precautions officers must take to properly and safely deconstruct a meth lab. A gas mask and 40-pound air tank accompanied the Level B protective suit, which was closed with heavy tape.
All officers who deconstruct meth labs must be re-certified yearly and are required to undergo a physical exam to test for ill-effects of possible exposure. Barley said citizens are the city’s greatest defense against meth labs and drug problems. “Neighbor complaints are a good indicator because they know what is normal and what’s not in their neighborhoods,” Barley said. “You guys are the front line of defense.”