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The group heard a methamphetamine presentation by Johnson, Lt. Kip Belcher of the Traverse Narcotics Team and Dr. Jim Wilson, medical director of district health department No. 10. Wilson spoke about the effects the drug has on users and the community in order to raise awareness of methamphetamines.

Johnson said he wasn't "sticking his head in the sand" to say there's no problem, but "drugs of choice" in Antrim County are marijuana and cocaine.

Though traces of methamphetamine "cooking" have been found in the county, no lab has been discovered.

"We're very happy with that, probably lucky more than anything," he said.

Belcher said there have been problems with methamphetamines in neighboring counties, in particular Osceola County where in 2005 there were situations in the Evert area. A task force covering eight counties dealt with the problem.

"We aggressively went after that," he said, noting the action's successful outcome.

Johnson said the task force could be brought together quickly if another situation arises.

Belcher said methamphetamines aren't a new issue. They were used in World War II to keep soldiers awake. More recently, the problem has spread from the western United States with biker gangs.

Most methamphetamines come through Mexico, but Wilson spoke about the dangers of mom-and-poptype labs that turn up, often in rural areas.

Wilson said methamphetamines are used by 12.3 million people aged 12 and older, which represents 5.2 percent of the population. The drug is a psychostimulant that affects the central nervous system, produces euphoria and is referred to as "poor man's cocaine." It initially boosts dopamine, giving the user pleasure, then causes negatives effects like prolonged depression, panic, anxiety and nervousness, moodiness and irritability, and loss of the ability to experience any pleasure without the drug.

Methamphetamines are highly addictive and 93 percent of users can't kick the addiction, Wilson said. Only 6 to 7 percent of people with methamphetamine addiction get off the drug.

Belcher said rural and farming areas are ideal for methamphetamine labs, and Wilson described the clandestine operations as makeshift and dangerous.

He said cooking, or making, the drug involves toxic chemicals that, if mixed incorrectly, can cause fires, explosions, lethal inhalation hazards, chemical burns and hazardous waste contamination.

Cooking causes the area to become contaminated, and Wilson said some producers check into motels, cook the drug then leave. The next motel visitor is then exposed to the effects of the drug, including respiratory problems, lung damage, burns, anemia, confusion and decreased mental functions.

The average cleanup cost is $25,000 to $30,000 after two batches of the drug are made, Wilson said.

For every one pound of methamphetamine created, six pounds of waste is produced, he said. This toxic waste is then dumped, often in ditches, rivers, lakes, drains, national forests and campgrounds, he added.

When the drug is in an area, it brings additional costs to the community, Wilson said. Some of those effects are tax dollars going to cleanup of labs, incarceration and prosecution of cookers, housing children of cookers in foster care and devaluing of property.

If a lab is in the community, neighbors may notice warning signs like strange odors of ammonia, solvents or pungent smells; unusual traffic in and out of a residence; occupants smoking outdoors for no apparent reason; large amounts of trash; vent tubes or fans in windows; windows open in cold weather; and overly sophisticated security systems.

Johnson encouraged people to call the Traverse Narcotics Team at 231-922- 0993 or Silent Observer at 231-947-8477 if they suspect a methamphetamine lab is in their area.

Area drug problems don't revolve around meth
ELK RAPIDS -- Methamphetamines shouldn't be overlooked, but drug issues in the Elk Rapids area revolve more around marijuana and alcohol, an area youth minister said Monday.

At the end of a presentation to raise awareness of methamphetamine effects on users and the community, Gary Bekkering, director of youth ministry at First Presbyterian Church, said people may be overlooking the current problem. Alcohol and marijuana are the beginning of addiction, he said, and marijuana is "readily available." These drugs can lead to use of other substances, such as heroin.

He said a presentation will be made May 2 to the community and to students at Cherryland Middle School and Elk Rapids High School that will address drugs and alcohol but also the "root of the problem:" why students make the decisions they make and how substance abuse is related to self esteem and depression.

"We as a community are doing something about it ... Hopefully we can attack the problem and not Band- Aid it," he said.