Meth Use Running Rampant in Worth County

Sheriff Terry Sheddrick and Deputy Tony Steele gave a presentation at the regular County Commission meeting about the dangers of meth use and how meth use was running rampant in the county. Despite laws that were designed to crack down on meth sales and meth use in the state, dealers and users have adapted with new tactics. It has come to the point where what might look like a pop bottle might turn out to be a meth device. Sheddrick and Steele showed pictures of meth lab trash that they found near Worth and in Grant City to show what to look for.

Sheddrick asked for the public's help in tracking the sale of these items. If possible, people are asked to take note of who was purchasing these items, how much, and how often (date and time are extremely helpful). Persons are asked to contact the Worth County Sheriff's Office at (660) 564-2222 or (660) 564-7168 if or when they observe someone purchase multiple items on this list with as much information as possible, including a vehicle description.

--Over the counter cold medicines containing pseudoephedrine or ephedrine;

--Acetone;

--Rubbing or isopropyl alcohol;

--Iodine;

--Starter fluid (ether);

--Gas additives (methanol);

--Drain Cleaner (sulfuric acid);

--Lithium Batteries;

--Rock Salt;

--Matchbooks;

--Lye;

--Paint Thinner;

--Aluminum Foil;

--Glassware;

--Coffee Filters.

Sheddrick said that meth was so addictive that one dose could get you addicted. Withdrawal symptoms can happen for 6 months to a year after one stops taking meth; in fact, Steele said he knew of someone who spent 10 years in jail for meth and who promptly started up again after leaving prison. People who use meth frequently have sores and pimples that they are constantly rubbing at and they have a weakened immune system.

Sheddrick said that he had been getting calls about meth use; he said that he had gotten called about a backpack full of meth paraphernalia. It used to be that people would use abandoned houses to make meth out of; however, it has now gotten to the point where people can make meth with very little equipment. For instance, you can cook it while driving around or attending a ball game or community event. Sheddrick said that created a public safety hazard; for instance, a bottle full of meth could explode, injuring both the user and people around them. And it didn't take very long to make them; for instance, one time, Sheddrick said he got a call from someone about drug paraphernalia lying on the ground five minutes' drive away and that when he got there, it was already gone.

Much of the time, cooking is done on back roads that are not well maintained; that is why Commissioner Rob Ruckman said that it was that important to keep roads well maintained because well-maintained roads were less likely to have that sort of thing.

And Sheddrick said that it was not just a matter of disposing of it; it takes people with special training to dispose of meth products. He says he has to call someone from Maryville who has the training to do it. "This stuff is poison and can poison even on contact," said Steele. He recounted a story of one person who wore his boots to a meth bust, didn't think about it, and wore them back home. His small child played with the boots and got exposed and killed. Sheddrick said that because of the safety hazard that these devices pose, people should drive off, don't stop, and report it to the Sheriff's office.

Sheddrick said that it creates a hardship for people who were simply trying to get by. For instance, it used to take a simple trip to the store when one got a cold; now, it takes a $70 visit to the doctor's office and a prescription to get a cold medicine.

Assessor Carolyn Hardy is planning to use savings from her office to purchase GIS equipment for her office.

Electrical connections to the gazebo, the shelter house, and other places were discussed. The county will control who uses the electricity and it will be octagon shaped. Construction will start around May 19th and finish over two weekends thanks to volunteer labor. The City of Grant City will be doing the trenching.

Economic Developer Charity Austin reported that she was in the process of setting up a town hall meeting regarding the EEZ. The EEZ board will determine the area or areas to be excluded using the census map.

Commissioners talked to Wayne Hayes, who was agreeable to trimming his road in fall or winter on Road #231.

Jim Fletchall reported that one of the tractors needed an oil pan. He said that FEMA might just allow funds for snow removal, while Commissioner Dennis Gabbert said that they would take it as far as possible and see what they could get.

Regarding the Courthouse Flag, Calvin Campbell will donate a flag to be flown annually above the Courthouse.

The county commissioners announced that they would contribute a 100% match for anyone willing to put gravel on county roads used as detours from the bridges that will be closed in the county. Either an adjacent landowner or an interested party can put up the money for the gravel. It will be effective immediately and will stay in effect until the bridge in question is reopened again.

Bob Scott of Grand River Mutual reported that plans were underway to put broadband wiring in around Denver to all 326 numbers using Federal Stimulus money. The cable will be at 36" depth, with depths as much as 92" in the event of an obstruction such as a tube. He said that the company would stand behind its work and that they will replace any displaced ground. They will be doing a similar project around Gentry.

Commissioners said that a round of brush letters will be sent next week.

S&V Engineering conducted an inspection on March 28th following that meeting with commissioners and found one confirmed leak and four potential leaks. They sent a letter with their report to the commission. The leaks are as follows:

--North of the cuploa -- confirmed. Flashing was not installed properly according to the report so that water is blown back into the building.

--Potential leak, south west corner -- An opening needs to be replaced with flashing.

--Potential leak, south east side -- Broken shingles need to be replaced.

--Potential leak, north west corner of the attic -- there is a hole in the ceiling.

--Potential leak south of cupola -- needs felt paper, flashing, and shingles.

The report noted that courthouse leaks were dictated by the direction of the wind. Custodian Leonard Roush has kept two buckets in the attic to catch leaks. S&V reported that they are still in the process of gathering information on why the cable holding the flag broke in high winds last November. There is a water drainage issue regarding a PVC pipe in the front of the Courthouse that S&V said was a matter for the county and Industrial Roofing. A roof drain froze shut, allowing water to flow into the Courthouse through an electrical outlet. Other issues noted including an EPDM membrane on the balcony roof not trimmed back and caulk on the roof is not warrantied for 50 years like the rest of the roof is.

At the March 28th meeting, S&V presented an outstanding balance that they said the county owed. That balance has been paid.