crank bugs,*

Methamphetamine is one of the most powerful and pernicious drugs, potentially addictive from the first use. Sheriff's Response: I agree with this finding.

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. Sheriff's Response: I agree with this finding. Response to 2005-2006 Grand Jury Report 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. Sheriff's Response: I agree with this finding.

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. Sheriff's Response: I agree with this finding.

Children who are exposed to methamphetamine via second-hand smoke can have detectable levels of methamphetamine in their urine. Sheriff's Response: I agree with this finding.

Children who are legally removed from a methamphetamine environment cannot take with them their clothing and toys due to contamination. Sheriff's Response: I agree with this finding.

Children of methamphetamine-using parents are raised in a highly traumatic environment and often subjected to physical and emotional neglect. Sheriff's Response: I agree with this finding.

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. Sheriff's Response: I agree with this finding. Response to 2005-2006 Grand Jury Report

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) Sheriff's Response: I agree with this finding. The number of patients needing medical services rises significantly in Mendocino County

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. Sheriff's Response: Without further information, I can neither agree nor disagree with this finding.

Gangs are involved with methamphetamine manufacture and sales in Mendocino County; gang violence can also be attributed to methamphetamine. Sheriff's Response: I agree with this finding.

Biker gangs are becoming more active in the distribution of methamphetamine. Sheriff's Response: I agree that biker gangs are active in distribution of methamphetamine, however this is not a new activity for them.

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. Sheriff's Response: I agree with this finding. Response to 2005-2006 Grand Jury Report

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. Sheriff's Response: I agree with this finding as there are not enough consequences built in for repeat offenders/

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. Sheriff's Response: I agree with this finding.

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. Sheriff's Response: I agree with this finding.

For every pound of methamphetamine manufactured there are six pounds of toxic waste materials that must be disposed of. Sheriff's Response: I agree with this finding.

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. Sheriff's Response: I agree with this finding.