Mendocino County Grand Jury
• 2005-2006
What Methamphetamine is Costing You May 12, 2006
⚠️ Translation Notice: This content has been automatically translated. The original English text is the official version. Translation may contain errors.
⚠️ Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.
Findings and Recommendations 19 findings
F1
Methamphetamine is one of the most powerful and pernicious drugs, potentially addictive from the first use.
Related Recommendations (2)
R8
education of the public be the primary weapon to counter the methamphetamine epidemic. The Grand Jury strongly urges that both the County and local communities use all their resources (including school programs, town hall meetings, and media) to further educate and engage the residents of Mendocino County in efforts to combat methamphetamine. (Findings 1, 3, 4, 6, 11, 12, 17, 18)
R10
all government agencies and non-governmental organizations encourage and cooperate with citizens’ methamphetamine suppression efforts. (Findings 1, 3, 4, 6, 11, 12, 17, 18) COMMENTS As long as there is widespread tolerance among the general public for dangerous drug use, the efforts of law enforcement and drug prevention agencies will be ineffective. The complexities involved in establishing an effective medical marijuana policy further muddy these waters. The leaders in this County, both public and private, need to communicate clearly the realities of dangerous drug use. The public needs also to recognize that the costs of methamphetamine use extend far beyond the immediate consequences to the individual user. That user may be a burden to the community for the rest of his or her life. The family, particularly the children, of that user is at risk for physical, financial and emotional damage for years to come.
F2
After methamphetamine use is stopped, severe withdrawal symptoms occur, including depression, anxiety, fatigue, paranoia, aggression, and an intense craving for the drug. Psychotic symptoms can persist for months or years after use has ceased.
No recommendations for this finding
F3
Methamphetamine use can result in hyperactivity, disturbed sleep patterns, irritability, paranoia, aggressive behavior, shortness of breath, involuntary muscle movements, malnutrition, and severe depression with suicidal tendencies. Chronic users may develop sores on their bodies from scratching at “crank bugs,” the term that describes the common delusion that bugs are crawling under the skin. Long- term use may lead to fatal kidney and lung disease, brain damage, liver damage, stroke, lowered resistance to illnesses, tooth decay, and permanent psychological problems such as drug-induced psychosis.
No recommendations for this finding
F4
Methamphetamine use during pregnancy results in a higher risk of premature births, babies with low birth weight, cardiac blockages and other birth defects. The use of methamphetamine during pregnancy impacts the fetus by reducing blood flow or by a direct toxic effect on the developing brain.
No recommendations for this finding
F5
Children who are exposed to methamphetamine via second-hand smoke can have detectable levels of methamphetamine in their urine.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2
The Board of Supervisors and City Councils from the four incorporated cities increase controls on the sale of ingredients used in the manufacture of methamphetamine. (Finding 5)
F6
Children who are legally removed from a methamphetamine environment cannot take with them their clothing and toys due to contamination.
Related Recommendations (3)
R1
The Board of Supervisors and City Councils from the four incorporated cities cooperate in taking the lead in the war on methamphetamine in Mendocino County. (Findings 6, 8-16)
R3
the Board of Supervisors and City Councils establish a process to rigorously evaluate both the costs to and the impact on the County and the incorporated cities of the methamphetamine epidemic. (Findings 6, 8-16)
R9
community members assist law enforcement in uncovering methamphetamine labs by reporting suspicious odors, trash, and unusual traffic flow in their neighborhoods, through neighborhood watch programs, homeowners associations, and other local action groups. (Findings 6, 18)
F7
Children of methamphetamine-using parents are raised in a highly traumatic environment and often subjected to physical and emotional neglect.
No recommendations for this finding
F8
Many Child Protective Service and domestic violence cases in Mendocino County are directly related to the use of methamphetamine by a parent or family member.
Related Recommendations (2)
R1
The Board of Supervisors and City Councils from the four incorporated cities cooperate in taking the lead in the war on methamphetamine in Mendocino County. (Findings 6, 8-16)
R3
the Board of Supervisors and City Councils establish a process to rigorously evaluate both the costs to and the impact on the County and the incorporated cities of the methamphetamine epidemic. (Findings 6, 8-16)
F9
Substance abuse programs in Mendocino County are provided by: a. Mendocino County Alcohol and Other Drug Program (AODP) b. the Ford Street Project c. Narcotics Anonymous (NA) d. Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)
Related Recommendations (2)
R1
The Board of Supervisors and City Councils from the four incorporated cities cooperate in taking the lead in the war on methamphetamine in Mendocino County. (Findings 6, 8-16)
R3
the Board of Supervisors and City Councils establish a process to rigorously evaluate both the costs to and the impact on the County and the incorporated cities of the methamphetamine epidemic. (Findings 6, 8-16)
F10
The number of patients needing medical services rises significantly in Mendocino County emergency rooms when there is a rise in the purity of the methamphetamine available on the streets.
Related Recommendations (2)
R1
The Board of Supervisors and City Councils from the four incorporated cities cooperate in taking the lead in the war on methamphetamine in Mendocino County. (Findings 6, 8-16)
R3
the Board of Supervisors and City Councils establish a process to rigorously evaluate both the costs to and the impact on the County and the incorporated cities of the methamphetamine epidemic. (Findings 6, 8-16)
F11
Efforts to secure funding for programs to combat methamphetamine use require considerable staff time, though the yield is generally a short-term grant for a long- term need.
Related Recommendations (5)
R1
The Board of Supervisors and City Councils from the four incorporated cities cooperate in taking the lead in the war on methamphetamine in Mendocino County. (Findings 6, 8-16)
R3
the Board of Supervisors and City Councils establish a process to rigorously evaluate both the costs to and the impact on the County and the incorporated cities of the methamphetamine epidemic. (Findings 6, 8-16)
R4
the Board of Supervisors and City Councils continue to aggressively pursue grant funding to address the methamphetamine problem in Mendocino County. (Findings 11-16)
R5
the Board of Supervisor and City Councils allocate money from their general funds to address the methamphetamine problem. (Finding 11,14, 19)
R7
the Board of Supervisors and City Councils require departments and agencies to freely share information and statistics regarding methamphetamine in order to coordinate programs and maximize resources. (Findings 11-16)
F12
Gangs are involved with methamphetamine manufacture and sales in Mendocino County; gang violence can also be attributed to methamphetamine.
Related Recommendations (4)
R1
The Board of Supervisors and City Councils from the four incorporated cities cooperate in taking the lead in the war on methamphetamine in Mendocino County. (Findings 6, 8-16)
R3
the Board of Supervisors and City Councils establish a process to rigorously evaluate both the costs to and the impact on the County and the incorporated cities of the methamphetamine epidemic. (Findings 6, 8-16)
R4
the Board of Supervisors and City Councils continue to aggressively pursue grant funding to address the methamphetamine problem in Mendocino County. (Findings 11-16)
R7
the Board of Supervisors and City Councils require departments and agencies to freely share information and statistics regarding methamphetamine in order to coordinate programs and maximize resources. (Findings 11-16)
F13
Biker gangs are becoming more active in the distribution of methamphetamine.
Related Recommendations (4)
R1
The Board of Supervisors and City Councils from the four incorporated cities cooperate in taking the lead in the war on methamphetamine in Mendocino County. (Findings 6, 8-16)
R3
the Board of Supervisors and City Councils establish a process to rigorously evaluate both the costs to and the impact on the County and the incorporated cities of the methamphetamine epidemic. (Findings 6, 8-16)
R4
the Board of Supervisors and City Councils continue to aggressively pursue grant funding to address the methamphetamine problem in Mendocino County. (Findings 11-16)
R7
the Board of Supervisors and City Councils require departments and agencies to freely share information and statistics regarding methamphetamine in order to coordinate programs and maximize resources. (Findings 11-16)
F14
Many individuals and departments funded by Mendocino County taxpayers are involved in the arrest, prosecution and incarceration of methamphetamine users. These include city police, the Sheriff’s Department, the Major Crimes Task Force, judges, court staff, probation officers, District Attorney staff, and Public Defender staff.
Related Recommendations (4)
R1
The Board of Supervisors and City Councils from the four incorporated cities cooperate in taking the lead in the war on methamphetamine in Mendocino County. (Findings 6, 8-16)
R3
the Board of Supervisors and City Councils establish a process to rigorously evaluate both the costs to and the impact on the County and the incorporated cities of the methamphetamine epidemic. (Findings 6, 8-16)
R4
the Board of Supervisors and City Councils continue to aggressively pursue grant funding to address the methamphetamine problem in Mendocino County. (Findings 11-16)
R7
the Board of Supervisors and City Councils require departments and agencies to freely share information and statistics regarding methamphetamine in order to coordinate programs and maximize resources. (Findings 11-16)
F15
Law enforcement personnel express frustration over the lack of meaningful consequences for those enrolled in the Proposition 36 program, which attempts to provide an alternative to confinement for drug abusers.
Related Recommendations (5)
R1
The Board of Supervisors and City Councils from the four incorporated cities cooperate in taking the lead in the war on methamphetamine in Mendocino County. (Findings 6, 8-16)
R3
the Board of Supervisors and City Councils establish a process to rigorously evaluate both the costs to and the impact on the County and the incorporated cities of the methamphetamine epidemic. (Findings 6, 8-16)
R4
the Board of Supervisors and City Councils continue to aggressively pursue grant funding to address the methamphetamine problem in Mendocino County. (Findings 11-16)
R6
the District Attorney examine the consequences of current sentencing practices for drug-related crimes. (Finding 15)
R7
the Board of Supervisors and City Councils require departments and agencies to freely share information and statistics regarding methamphetamine in order to coordinate programs and maximize resources. (Findings 11-16)
F16
Many of the items required to produce methamphetamine are readily available at local grocery and hardware stores. Because many of the chemicals used to make methamphetamine are explosive, caustic and carcinogenic, they pose serious health hazards if mixed together or stored improperly.
Related Recommendations (4)
R1
The Board of Supervisors and City Councils from the four incorporated cities cooperate in taking the lead in the war on methamphetamine in Mendocino County. (Findings 6, 8-16)
R3
the Board of Supervisors and City Councils establish a process to rigorously evaluate both the costs to and the impact on the County and the incorporated cities of the methamphetamine epidemic. (Findings 6, 8-16)
R4
the Board of Supervisors and City Councils continue to aggressively pursue grant funding to address the methamphetamine problem in Mendocino County. (Findings 11-16)
R7
the Board of Supervisors and City Councils require departments and agencies to freely share information and statistics regarding methamphetamine in order to coordinate programs and maximize resources. (Findings 11-16)
F17
With a cash outlay of less than one hundred dollars, a batch of methamphetamine can be manufactured (cooked) and sold on the streets for several thousand dollars.
No recommendations for this finding
F18
For every pound of methamphetamine manufactured there are six pounds of toxic waste materials that must be disposed of.
No recommendations for this finding
F19
Professionals who work to combat drug abuse in the County agree that the problem is intensified because there is in the County both a high level of tolerance for general drug use and a lack of awareness of the dangers of methamphetamine.
No recommendations for this finding
Comments 1
-
CO1As long as there is widespread tolerance among the general public for dangerous drug use, the efforts of law enforcement and drug prevention agencies will be ineffective. The complexities involved in establishing an effective medical marijuana policy further muddy these waters. The leaders in this County, both public and private, need to communicate clearly the realities of dangerous drug use. The public needs also to recognize that the costs of methamphetamine use extend far beyond the immediate consequences to the individual user. That user may be a burden to the community for the rest of his or her life. The family, particularly the children, of that user is at risk for physical, financial and emotional damage for years to come. Mendocino County Grand Jury 2005-6 Page 4 of 5