Below are several "hot spots" in Guerneville where residents have seen meth transcations and/or using happening at an increased frequency. Unfortunately, due to legal ramifications, we are unable to post specific personal information of those responsible for this activity. Also the intention is to shine light on these areas so that community members feel empowered to organize and encourage the authorities to do something about these "known" problem spots. If you have other "hot spots" you would like to add to the list, please post them in the comments section.
1. Fairy Ring Campground off of Armstrong Woods Road. Residents are actively dealing and using meth.
2. Spooner's Trailer Park, Guernewood.
3. Under Guerneville Bridge. Continuous, active dealing of meth. Meth dealing at all hours along the river, particularly in the warmer months.
4. Duncan Road on the Guerneville Side. House is openly and actively dealing meth.
5. Mill and Main Street. Active dealing of meth on the corner in broad daylight.
Friday, December 4, 2009
The meth problem in Sonoma County is two times the state average.
The following is taken from a report posted by Sonoma County Department of Health Services:
http://www.sonoma-county.org/health/ph/data/pdf/methprevention2008.pdf
According to local law enforcement sources, the production and distribution of methamphetamine in Sonoma County increased with the arrival of Mexican organized crime families in the early to mid-1990s. At that time, the easy availability of precursor chemicals made it feasible to manufacture methamphetamine locally. As local production increased, the price of methamphetamine dropped to about $4,000 a pound – today, by comparison, a pound of powdered methamphetamine costs about $7,000In 1997, the organizations responded to the flooded market by cutting back on availability –
although methamphetamine could still be purchased in quantity and Sonoma County
remained an active distribution center. By the late 1990’s, local production was curtailed and most methamphetamine was imported from MexicoToday, most of the drug available in Sonoma County is produced in Mexican “super labs” and brought across the border to Los Angeles, through San Jose or Fresno, to Santa Rosa.
Santa Rosa is a distribution “hub” for Northern California, particularly Lake and Mendocino counties. Distribution occurs through a network of established families and cartels, primarily Latino. Poly-drug distribution systems (i.e. dealers selling methamphetamine, cocaine, and heroin) are on the rise. In the past several months, undercover agents with the Sonoma County Narcotics Task Force have purchased large quantities of crystal methamphetamine, currently selling for $8,000-$9,000 a pound.
Local labs are producing only one to two ounces of methamphetamine at a time and
currently represent only a minor fraction of the local supply. Since 2003, the Sheriff’s Department has raided 14 methamphetamine labs – about 4-5 annually. These seizures occur primarily in rural parts of the county where it is easier to conceal small drug labs operating out of homes. New federal restrictions have further reduced the local availability of precursor chemicals.
The impact on health, services and the Environment Hospitalization - Hospitalization where methamphetamine is the principal cause of admission is rare. From 2000-2004, there were 22 such hospital admissions in SonomaCounty hospitals (about 5 annually) for a total cost of approximately $175,000 (excluding 6 Sonoma County Methamphetamine Profile physician costs). Sixty percent of these cases were covered by Medi-Cal or other public payors. Methamphetamine is more commonly reported as a “secondary” or “other”
diagnosis. Cases within this category more than doubled from 244 in 2000 to 522 in 2004. In 2004, methamphetamine reported as a principal (n=4) or other diagnosis (n=522) accounted for 25% of all drug related hospitalizations (excluding alcohol).
Emergency room use - During the first six months of 2005, methamphetamine was
reported as a principal diagnosis in 52 Sonoma County hospital emergency room visits and as an “other” diagnosis in 265 visits.9 According to national data collected by the Drug Abuse Warning Network, the most common reasons for methamphetamine-related ER visits are overdose (28%), unexpected reaction (23%), wanting to detoxify (22%), and chronic effects (22%).10
Mortality – From 2001-2005, 85 methamphetamine-related deaths (methamphetamine
listed as a primary cause or secondary factor) occurred in Sonoma County – about 17 per
year.11 The majority was white (78%), followed by Latino (16.5%), African American and American Indian (2.4% each), and Asian/Pacific Islander (1.2%). Nearly 60% of
methamphetamine-related deaths occurred among those 30-39 (24.7%) and 40-49
(34.1%). Young adults 20-29 accounted for 15.3% of deaths and older adults 50-59 made
up 17.6%. Six teens (7.1%) died from methamphetamine-related causes.
Criminal Justice - Methamphetamine use is a significant contributor to crime and violence. Methamphetamine-related crimes include: drug-specific crimes such as manufacturing, distributing, or possession of methamphetamine; and crimes where methamphetamine use is associated with theft, assault, and homicide. Sonoma law enforcement officials report a direct correlation between methamphetamine use and property crimes such as mail fraud, burglary, shoplifting, and theft, including identity theft.
“Dangerous drug” arrests12 - which include methamphetamine – accounted for 24% (1,102) of all adult felony arrests (4,569) made in Sonoma County during 2004. In the past five years, dangerous drug arrests, which have remained fairly level, have accounted for approximately 44% of adult (18+) and up to half of juvenile (<18) non-alcohol drug
arrests.13 Since 2003, the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office alone (whose jurisdiction includes the unincorporated parts of the county, along with Windsor and Sonoma) has made 1,624 arrests for methamphetamine possession, 253 arrests for possession for sale, and 41 arrests for sale of methamphetamine. 14
From 2002 to 2004, felony dangerous drug (including methamphetamine) arrests among
youth have accounted for 32% to 39% (about 24 annually) of all felony drug bookings at
Juvenile Hall.15
In 2005, adult bookings into Sonoma County jail totaled 19,300. Nearly half (48%) of these were for alcohol and other drug crimes – which does not include other crime categories that are likely influenced by AOD use or abuse. Data on methamphetamine-related crimes and arrests per se are not available, however, a history of methamphetamine use prior to arrest is reported by a significant number of inmates. In April 2006, the jail medical provider conducted a random review of the medical charts of 402 inmates, and found that 60% (240 cases) had self-disclosed using methamphetamine. Methamphetamine-specific detention costs and potential cost-savings are difficult to calculate for a variety of reasons: as noted, accurate data on the number of methamphetamine-users is not captured; jail bed unit costs are not available; and, because most methamphetamine users are poly-drug users, even if their methamphetamine use were discontinued, they would be likely to enter the system for other drug use or related crime. Probation - The Probation Department currently supervises approximately 2,800 adult offenders. Initially, most adult offenders participate in an intensive drug-testing program. Over time, probationers who demonstrate abstinence are tested less frequently. For January 1 through June 12, 2006, of 4,637 drug tests administered, 766 (16.5%) tested positive for llegal substances or alcohol. Of those, 166 (3.6%) tested positive for methamphetamine.
The Probation Department also supervises 733 minors whose jurisdictional status ranges
from informal probation to wards of the Court. Methamphetamine is a problem in this
population. In a recent 13-month period, 5.6% (168 out of 3,000) drug tests of juvenile
probationers were positive for methamphetamine. At the Department’s residential treatment program, Sierra Youth Center, four out of eleven girls currently acknowledge an addiction to methamphetamine.16
“Methamphetamine is the drug that brought them down, the drug that brought them to treatment.”
Focus group of Sonoma County AOD providers
Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) Treatment - Methamphetamine is the second most
common primary drug of abuse – following alcohol – among those admitted for AOD
treatment in Sonoma County. Adult treatment admissions for methamphetamine have
increased by 85%, from 1,155 in 2000 to 2,132 in 2004, accounting for one-third of treatment clients over 18. About half of adult treatment admissions report methamphetamine use as a primary, secondary, or tertiary drug problem. Criminal justice referrals to treatment for methamphetamine abuse rose in Sonoma County from 62% in 2000 to 79.9% in 2004.17 While, most of the increase in this period is due to the implementation of Substance Abuse Crime Prevention Act in 2001, referrals for methamphetamine abuse climbed at a slightly higher rate than for other drugs.
The percent of young (<18) methamphetamine users referred to treatment by the justice
system is also consistently higher than for youth using other drugs. In 2004, 60.9% of
juvenile methamphetamine users were referred to treatment by the juvenile justice system, compared to 37.1% of other drug users. However, youth reporting methamphetamine as their primary drug problem declined from 12% of all youth treatment admissions in 2000 to 10% in 2004.
Annual costs for the public AOD treatment system are approximately $14 million. Because most individuals in treatment are poly-drug abusers, it is difficult to determine
methamphetamine-specific costs, however, based on 35-40% of treatment admissions
reporting methamphetamine as the primary drug of choice, annual County-funded
methamphetamine treatment costs can be estimated at about $5 million.
Mental Health –Mental Health staff estimate that 60% of clients using County mental
health outpatient programs have substance abuse problems, with a large portion reporting
methamphetamine as their primary drug of choice. An estimated 10% of admissions to the Sutter Psychiatric Inpatient Unit are the direct result of a methamphetamine-induced
psychosis - over 100 admissions annually. Based on a cost of approximately $1200 per day and an average stay of 8 days, annual costs for 100 methamphetamine-related inpatient admissions are estimated at $960,000.
An additional estimated 25% of admissions identify methamphetamine use or abuse as a
factor contributing to their need for acute inpatient care. Approximately half of the clients in the County’s Forensic Assertive Community Treatment Team program report regular use of 8 Sonoma County Methamphetamine Profile methamphetamine. Anecdotal reports from Sonoma County psychiatrists and other treating staff reflect an increase in the number of otherwise healthy young adults who, secondary to methamphetamine use, develop an intractable psychotic condition characterized by frequent psychiatric inpatient admissions, episodic arrests, alienation from friends and family, and a life of victimization on the streets. In the last year, three female Mental Health clients in
their early 20’s, fitting this profile, committed suicide.
Child Welfare – Parental and caregiver methamphetamine use has become a significant
contributor to child abuse and neglect. Methamphetamine use affects the parent’s ability to care appropriately for children and is associated with argumentative, assaultive, and
threatening behaviors. Children living around methamphetamine labs or with a
methamphetamine using caregiver may be malnourished, neglected, abused or abandoned. Children living at or visiting methamphetamine production sites (e.g., home labs) face multiple health and safety risks from exposure to toxic chemicals used in the manufacturing process. The drug is sometimes stored in baby bottles, milk cartons, or mason jars, making it easily accessible to very young children. Law enforcement officials report cases where children are used to facilitate the movement and sale of methamphetamine.
Children living with substance abuse issues often need services for many years. Anecdotal data suggest that family reunification rates are lower with methamphetamine users than with users of other drugs, and that methamphetamine users seem less interested in making the changes necessary to reunify their families. Foster parents who provide care for these children are challenged daily with physical care needs and the emotional scaring that these children bring with them. For older children, their neglect and abuse often causes behavior problems that are difficult to manage, resulting in multiple placements or placement in group homes.
The State-mandated child welfare data collection system does not currently allow the
Sonoma County Human Services Department, Family, Youth and Children’s Services to
capture data on alcohol and other drug involvement among families in the child welfare
system. However, in reviewing cases over a recent 6-month period, child welfare officials
estimate about one-half of parents in the system have some significant involvement with
methamphetamine. Methamphetamine-specific cost data is not readily available. However, based on a conservative assumption of 32 children (roughly 20% of the annual new custody caseload) who, absent their parents’ methamphetamine use, would not otherwise enter the child welfare system, annual child welfare costs can be calculated at approximately $810,000.
Birth Outcomes - Methamphetamine use during pregnancy may result in prenatal
complications, higher rates of premature delivery, and altered neonatal behavioral patterns and may also be linked to congenital deformities.18 Sonoma County specific data are not
available, however a national study found that 5% of women living in areas “known to have methamphetamine problems” used methamphetamine at some point during their
pregnancies.19 Applying this finding to Sonoma County suggests that about 270 (5%)
pregnant women who gave birth in 2003 may have used methamphetamine while pregnant. From 2000-2004, methamphetamine was identified as the primary drug of abuse for 247 adult women (18+) and 15 young women (<18) who were pregnant at admission to Sonoma County AOD treatment programs. Methamphetamine-using pregnant women represented 60% of all adult pregnant women and 27% of all pregnant teens in treatment during that five-year period.20
Communicable Disease - Injection needle-sharing and risky sexual behaviors (multiple
sexual partners, decreased use of condoms) put some methamphetamine users at high risk
9 Sonoma County Methamphetamine Profile for hepatitis C, HIV and other sexually transmitted disease (STDs). Studies show that methamphetamine use doubles the risk of acquiring STDs, including HIV. Methamphetamine is thought to be one of several factors contributing to an increase in syphilis cases among men having sex with men (MSM). Based on 2005 data, of the 1,055 males living with HIV disease in Sonoma County, 77% were MSM and another 12% were injection drug-using MSM.21 Recent data from Sonoma County Counseling and Testing Clinics indicate that nearly 20% of MSM tested for HIV report having used methamphetamine in the past two years.
Environmental Safety - Chemical waste and debris from methamphetamine production
can pose a serious environmental threat. Significant levels of contamination may be found throughout residential properties where methamphetamine production has occurred. If the contamination is not remediated the public may be harmed by remaining materials and residues. Depending on the extent of contamination, adjacent buildings may be impacted. The drug can contaminate dwellings and adjacent buildings, get into paint, carpets, heating and air conditioning ducts, furniture, clothes, and other personal belongs.
Cleaning up a laboratory is expensive, dangerous, and time consuming. In 2001, clean-up
costs for over 2,000 methamphetamine labs and dumpsites cost Californians nearly $5.5
million, or an average of $2,450 per lab.22 The Methamphetamine Contaminated Property Cleanup Act became law in January 2006. Under the law the local Health Officer is responsible for assessing the contamination risk associated with seized methamphetamine labs, monitoring remediation, and notifying the public of health risks. Prior to passage of this law, the State assumed responsibility for methamphetamine lab clean-up and associated costs in Sonoma County. This responsibility will now by the Department of Health Services. Under the law, clean-up costs are recoverable from the property owner. While there is no local cost history for lab clean-up available, other counties report costs ranging from $6,000 - $10,000 per site for clean-up activities.
http://www.sonoma-county.org/health/ph/data/pdf/methprevention2008.pdf
According to local law enforcement sources, the production and distribution of methamphetamine in Sonoma County increased with the arrival of Mexican organized crime families in the early to mid-1990s. At that time, the easy availability of precursor chemicals made it feasible to manufacture methamphetamine locally. As local production increased, the price of methamphetamine dropped to about $4,000 a pound – today, by comparison, a pound of powdered methamphetamine costs about $7,000In 1997, the organizations responded to the flooded market by cutting back on availability –
although methamphetamine could still be purchased in quantity and Sonoma County
remained an active distribution center. By the late 1990’s, local production was curtailed and most methamphetamine was imported from MexicoToday, most of the drug available in Sonoma County is produced in Mexican “super labs” and brought across the border to Los Angeles, through San Jose or Fresno, to Santa Rosa.
Santa Rosa is a distribution “hub” for Northern California, particularly Lake and Mendocino counties. Distribution occurs through a network of established families and cartels, primarily Latino. Poly-drug distribution systems (i.e. dealers selling methamphetamine, cocaine, and heroin) are on the rise. In the past several months, undercover agents with the Sonoma County Narcotics Task Force have purchased large quantities of crystal methamphetamine, currently selling for $8,000-$9,000 a pound.
Local labs are producing only one to two ounces of methamphetamine at a time and
currently represent only a minor fraction of the local supply. Since 2003, the Sheriff’s Department has raided 14 methamphetamine labs – about 4-5 annually. These seizures occur primarily in rural parts of the county where it is easier to conceal small drug labs operating out of homes. New federal restrictions have further reduced the local availability of precursor chemicals.
The impact on health, services and the Environment Hospitalization - Hospitalization where methamphetamine is the principal cause of admission is rare. From 2000-2004, there were 22 such hospital admissions in SonomaCounty hospitals (about 5 annually) for a total cost of approximately $175,000 (excluding 6 Sonoma County Methamphetamine Profile physician costs). Sixty percent of these cases were covered by Medi-Cal or other public payors. Methamphetamine is more commonly reported as a “secondary” or “other”
diagnosis. Cases within this category more than doubled from 244 in 2000 to 522 in 2004. In 2004, methamphetamine reported as a principal (n=4) or other diagnosis (n=522) accounted for 25% of all drug related hospitalizations (excluding alcohol).
Emergency room use - During the first six months of 2005, methamphetamine was
reported as a principal diagnosis in 52 Sonoma County hospital emergency room visits and as an “other” diagnosis in 265 visits.9 According to national data collected by the Drug Abuse Warning Network, the most common reasons for methamphetamine-related ER visits are overdose (28%), unexpected reaction (23%), wanting to detoxify (22%), and chronic effects (22%).10
Mortality – From 2001-2005, 85 methamphetamine-related deaths (methamphetamine
listed as a primary cause or secondary factor) occurred in Sonoma County – about 17 per
year.11 The majority was white (78%), followed by Latino (16.5%), African American and American Indian (2.4% each), and Asian/Pacific Islander (1.2%). Nearly 60% of
methamphetamine-related deaths occurred among those 30-39 (24.7%) and 40-49
(34.1%). Young adults 20-29 accounted for 15.3% of deaths and older adults 50-59 made
up 17.6%. Six teens (7.1%) died from methamphetamine-related causes.
Criminal Justice - Methamphetamine use is a significant contributor to crime and violence. Methamphetamine-related crimes include: drug-specific crimes such as manufacturing, distributing, or possession of methamphetamine; and crimes where methamphetamine use is associated with theft, assault, and homicide. Sonoma law enforcement officials report a direct correlation between methamphetamine use and property crimes such as mail fraud, burglary, shoplifting, and theft, including identity theft.
“Dangerous drug” arrests12 - which include methamphetamine – accounted for 24% (1,102) of all adult felony arrests (4,569) made in Sonoma County during 2004. In the past five years, dangerous drug arrests, which have remained fairly level, have accounted for approximately 44% of adult (18+) and up to half of juvenile (<18) non-alcohol drug
arrests.13 Since 2003, the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office alone (whose jurisdiction includes the unincorporated parts of the county, along with Windsor and Sonoma) has made 1,624 arrests for methamphetamine possession, 253 arrests for possession for sale, and 41 arrests for sale of methamphetamine. 14
From 2002 to 2004, felony dangerous drug (including methamphetamine) arrests among
youth have accounted for 32% to 39% (about 24 annually) of all felony drug bookings at
Juvenile Hall.15
In 2005, adult bookings into Sonoma County jail totaled 19,300. Nearly half (48%) of these were for alcohol and other drug crimes – which does not include other crime categories that are likely influenced by AOD use or abuse. Data on methamphetamine-related crimes and arrests per se are not available, however, a history of methamphetamine use prior to arrest is reported by a significant number of inmates. In April 2006, the jail medical provider conducted a random review of the medical charts of 402 inmates, and found that 60% (240 cases) had self-disclosed using methamphetamine. Methamphetamine-specific detention costs and potential cost-savings are difficult to calculate for a variety of reasons: as noted, accurate data on the number of methamphetamine-users is not captured; jail bed unit costs are not available; and, because most methamphetamine users are poly-drug users, even if their methamphetamine use were discontinued, they would be likely to enter the system for other drug use or related crime. Probation - The Probation Department currently supervises approximately 2,800 adult offenders. Initially, most adult offenders participate in an intensive drug-testing program. Over time, probationers who demonstrate abstinence are tested less frequently. For January 1 through June 12, 2006, of 4,637 drug tests administered, 766 (16.5%) tested positive for llegal substances or alcohol. Of those, 166 (3.6%) tested positive for methamphetamine.
The Probation Department also supervises 733 minors whose jurisdictional status ranges
from informal probation to wards of the Court. Methamphetamine is a problem in this
population. In a recent 13-month period, 5.6% (168 out of 3,000) drug tests of juvenile
probationers were positive for methamphetamine. At the Department’s residential treatment program, Sierra Youth Center, four out of eleven girls currently acknowledge an addiction to methamphetamine.16
“Methamphetamine is the drug that brought them down, the drug that brought them to treatment.”
Focus group of Sonoma County AOD providers
Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) Treatment - Methamphetamine is the second most
common primary drug of abuse – following alcohol – among those admitted for AOD
treatment in Sonoma County. Adult treatment admissions for methamphetamine have
increased by 85%, from 1,155 in 2000 to 2,132 in 2004, accounting for one-third of treatment clients over 18. About half of adult treatment admissions report methamphetamine use as a primary, secondary, or tertiary drug problem. Criminal justice referrals to treatment for methamphetamine abuse rose in Sonoma County from 62% in 2000 to 79.9% in 2004.17 While, most of the increase in this period is due to the implementation of Substance Abuse Crime Prevention Act in 2001, referrals for methamphetamine abuse climbed at a slightly higher rate than for other drugs.
The percent of young (<18) methamphetamine users referred to treatment by the justice
system is also consistently higher than for youth using other drugs. In 2004, 60.9% of
juvenile methamphetamine users were referred to treatment by the juvenile justice system, compared to 37.1% of other drug users. However, youth reporting methamphetamine as their primary drug problem declined from 12% of all youth treatment admissions in 2000 to 10% in 2004.
Annual costs for the public AOD treatment system are approximately $14 million. Because most individuals in treatment are poly-drug abusers, it is difficult to determine
methamphetamine-specific costs, however, based on 35-40% of treatment admissions
reporting methamphetamine as the primary drug of choice, annual County-funded
methamphetamine treatment costs can be estimated at about $5 million.
Mental Health –Mental Health staff estimate that 60% of clients using County mental
health outpatient programs have substance abuse problems, with a large portion reporting
methamphetamine as their primary drug of choice. An estimated 10% of admissions to the Sutter Psychiatric Inpatient Unit are the direct result of a methamphetamine-induced
psychosis - over 100 admissions annually. Based on a cost of approximately $1200 per day and an average stay of 8 days, annual costs for 100 methamphetamine-related inpatient admissions are estimated at $960,000.
An additional estimated 25% of admissions identify methamphetamine use or abuse as a
factor contributing to their need for acute inpatient care. Approximately half of the clients in the County’s Forensic Assertive Community Treatment Team program report regular use of 8 Sonoma County Methamphetamine Profile methamphetamine. Anecdotal reports from Sonoma County psychiatrists and other treating staff reflect an increase in the number of otherwise healthy young adults who, secondary to methamphetamine use, develop an intractable psychotic condition characterized by frequent psychiatric inpatient admissions, episodic arrests, alienation from friends and family, and a life of victimization on the streets. In the last year, three female Mental Health clients in
their early 20’s, fitting this profile, committed suicide.
Child Welfare – Parental and caregiver methamphetamine use has become a significant
contributor to child abuse and neglect. Methamphetamine use affects the parent’s ability to care appropriately for children and is associated with argumentative, assaultive, and
threatening behaviors. Children living around methamphetamine labs or with a
methamphetamine using caregiver may be malnourished, neglected, abused or abandoned. Children living at or visiting methamphetamine production sites (e.g., home labs) face multiple health and safety risks from exposure to toxic chemicals used in the manufacturing process. The drug is sometimes stored in baby bottles, milk cartons, or mason jars, making it easily accessible to very young children. Law enforcement officials report cases where children are used to facilitate the movement and sale of methamphetamine.
Children living with substance abuse issues often need services for many years. Anecdotal data suggest that family reunification rates are lower with methamphetamine users than with users of other drugs, and that methamphetamine users seem less interested in making the changes necessary to reunify their families. Foster parents who provide care for these children are challenged daily with physical care needs and the emotional scaring that these children bring with them. For older children, their neglect and abuse often causes behavior problems that are difficult to manage, resulting in multiple placements or placement in group homes.
The State-mandated child welfare data collection system does not currently allow the
Sonoma County Human Services Department, Family, Youth and Children’s Services to
capture data on alcohol and other drug involvement among families in the child welfare
system. However, in reviewing cases over a recent 6-month period, child welfare officials
estimate about one-half of parents in the system have some significant involvement with
methamphetamine. Methamphetamine-specific cost data is not readily available. However, based on a conservative assumption of 32 children (roughly 20% of the annual new custody caseload) who, absent their parents’ methamphetamine use, would not otherwise enter the child welfare system, annual child welfare costs can be calculated at approximately $810,000.
Birth Outcomes - Methamphetamine use during pregnancy may result in prenatal
complications, higher rates of premature delivery, and altered neonatal behavioral patterns and may also be linked to congenital deformities.18 Sonoma County specific data are not
available, however a national study found that 5% of women living in areas “known to have methamphetamine problems” used methamphetamine at some point during their
pregnancies.19 Applying this finding to Sonoma County suggests that about 270 (5%)
pregnant women who gave birth in 2003 may have used methamphetamine while pregnant. From 2000-2004, methamphetamine was identified as the primary drug of abuse for 247 adult women (18+) and 15 young women (<18) who were pregnant at admission to Sonoma County AOD treatment programs. Methamphetamine-using pregnant women represented 60% of all adult pregnant women and 27% of all pregnant teens in treatment during that five-year period.20
Communicable Disease - Injection needle-sharing and risky sexual behaviors (multiple
sexual partners, decreased use of condoms) put some methamphetamine users at high risk
9 Sonoma County Methamphetamine Profile for hepatitis C, HIV and other sexually transmitted disease (STDs). Studies show that methamphetamine use doubles the risk of acquiring STDs, including HIV. Methamphetamine is thought to be one of several factors contributing to an increase in syphilis cases among men having sex with men (MSM). Based on 2005 data, of the 1,055 males living with HIV disease in Sonoma County, 77% were MSM and another 12% were injection drug-using MSM.21 Recent data from Sonoma County Counseling and Testing Clinics indicate that nearly 20% of MSM tested for HIV report having used methamphetamine in the past two years.
Environmental Safety - Chemical waste and debris from methamphetamine production
can pose a serious environmental threat. Significant levels of contamination may be found throughout residential properties where methamphetamine production has occurred. If the contamination is not remediated the public may be harmed by remaining materials and residues. Depending on the extent of contamination, adjacent buildings may be impacted. The drug can contaminate dwellings and adjacent buildings, get into paint, carpets, heating and air conditioning ducts, furniture, clothes, and other personal belongs.
Cleaning up a laboratory is expensive, dangerous, and time consuming. In 2001, clean-up
costs for over 2,000 methamphetamine labs and dumpsites cost Californians nearly $5.5
million, or an average of $2,450 per lab.22 The Methamphetamine Contaminated Property Cleanup Act became law in January 2006. Under the law the local Health Officer is responsible for assessing the contamination risk associated with seized methamphetamine labs, monitoring remediation, and notifying the public of health risks. Prior to passage of this law, the State assumed responsibility for methamphetamine lab clean-up and associated costs in Sonoma County. This responsibility will now by the Department of Health Services. Under the law, clean-up costs are recoverable from the property owner. While there is no local cost history for lab clean-up available, other counties report costs ranging from $6,000 - $10,000 per site for clean-up activities.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
We need to come together as a community to fight meth.
Many of us who have lived on the Russian River for some time have experienced first hand the tragedy of meth addiction. Some of us have dealt with addiction in our families, or with our friends, or some have had to live next to methamphetamine addicts and dealers. Many of us know where these house are, and who is dealing to our kids and community. Many of us are also afraid of stepping forward because of fear of retribution. Those who have stepped forward have been faced with harassment and violence. The most effective members of the community in this fight understand that to fight you need to take a multi-pronged approach:
1. Keep in contact with the police and narcotics squad about meth activity. Write down license plates, descriptions of cars and people, make detailed logs of activity of the residence you suspect that is openly and actively dealing meth.
2. Sue landlords who profit from housing meth dealing tenants.
3. Support people who are seeking help in recovery from meth addiction by sharing resources but not enabling dysfunctional behavior.
4. Come together and organize with your neighbors in a class action lawsuit against landlords and landowners housing Meth activity.
5. Get involved in our schools to help kids stay out of the meth scene in the River area.
Let's use the power of the internet to brainstorm on ways to get meth dealers out of our schools and out of our community here in Guerneville, Rio Nido and Monte Rio. The cycle will not be broken as long as people are actively and openly selling to our kids. We are as much responsible for this in allowing this activity to happen as are the dealers who are selling this stuff to children. Together we can fight this!
1. Keep in contact with the police and narcotics squad about meth activity. Write down license plates, descriptions of cars and people, make detailed logs of activity of the residence you suspect that is openly and actively dealing meth.
2. Sue landlords who profit from housing meth dealing tenants.
3. Support people who are seeking help in recovery from meth addiction by sharing resources but not enabling dysfunctional behavior.
4. Come together and organize with your neighbors in a class action lawsuit against landlords and landowners housing Meth activity.
5. Get involved in our schools to help kids stay out of the meth scene in the River area.
Let's use the power of the internet to brainstorm on ways to get meth dealers out of our schools and out of our community here in Guerneville, Rio Nido and Monte Rio. The cycle will not be broken as long as people are actively and openly selling to our kids. We are as much responsible for this in allowing this activity to happen as are the dealers who are selling this stuff to children. Together we can fight this!
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