PUBLIC CAN HELP SPOT METH LABS IN NEIGHBORHOODS

An outbreak of clandestine methamphetamine production in Cape Girardeau demands immediate community action, not only by police who are doing their best to shut down the labs, but by citizens who might suspect something amiss in their neighborhoods.

Since Jan. 1, police have uncovered a dozen methamphetamine labs in Cape Girardeau. Until this year, they had no knowledge of any meth labs being operated here.

The illegal drug's popularity is growing because it is so easy to make and because its effects last longer than most other drugs. Methamphetamines sell on the street for as much as cocaine and crack, but its effects last much longer -- for three or four days.

There are virtually thousands of recipes for the drug's production, and the materials used to make it can be purchased from a variety of stores. A police officer who specializes in drug enforcement in the city called meth production scary. He pointed out there are 3,000 recipes for the drug on the Internet.

Anyone can make meth, and it can be made anywhere, even in a motel room or a car. But it isn't always made without the unexpected. The ingredients used to make meth can be dangerous. On one occasion a house in which methamphetamines were being made caught fire and burned.

Likewise, taking methamphetamine made in a lab can be dangerous, not only because of the potential for addiction but because of the ingredients that go into it. They are of poor quality and result in serious illness or death.

It was only a matter of time for labs to spring up here, considering Missouri ranks second only to California in meth production and Southeast Missouri leads the state in the number of meth labs.

Police need everyone's help in their effort to stop meth production and those who produce it for a fast buck. Citizens can help by reporting suspicious happenings. A strong odor of ether or ammonia might be a clue that methamphetamines are being made in your neighborhood.

The dangers of meth production and its use are too many to go unchecked.