Published: March 28, 2008 11:58 pm         

Capt. presents crystal meth breakdown

Says drug on its way here

CUMBERLAND — Capt. Jim Pyles warned parents and teachers on Thursday of an inevitable crystal meth problem that “will come to our area.”

“In my opinion, it’s not if, it’s when,” said Pyles, commander of the Western Troop of the Field Operations Bureau for the Maryland State Police. “Let’s get ready.”

Speed. Crystal. Crank. Ice. Glass. The drug is called any of these terms by its users, who desire a high or just a cheap way to lose weight fast. And 90 percent of crime is drug-driven, Pyles said.

Pyles spoke to nearly two dozen parents, teachers and school officials during an hour-long presentation on drug awareness in front of the Superintendent’s Parent Advisory Council at Allegany High School. His talk was a follow-up to school resource officer Jim Hott’s discussion on drugs in February.

In a PowerPoint presentation, Pyles illustrated a dramatic increase in the rise of the number of meth labs seized and busted by law enforcement from 1996 to 2004. The two states with the highest number of labs were Washington and Missouri.

But Pyles focused on West Virginia, ranked third. He said he isn’t sure how Maryland had avoided becoming a proving ground for the fairly affordable, easy-to-make and “highly addictive” drug. Maryland has all the necessary ingredients to be a crystal meth success — a mix of rural and urban settings and numerous interstate highways. Only one lab was seized by police in Allegany County. That was eight years ago.

“I don’t know why the meth hasn’t come,” Pyles said. “We’ve been lucky.”

Pyles noted there is a less than 10 percent chance of recovery for meth addicts. And the process doesn’t affect only the drug-user. Trying to get help can be “financially draining” for an entire family, he said.

The presentation included a number of graphic photos illustrating the dangers of using meth — showing users with burned-out teeth — and of making the drug. Relatively simple to manufacture — a variety of recipes, Pyles said, can be found on the Internet — the drug is often made in areas without proper ventilation. One mistake can cause an explosion.

Pyles expressed disappointment with state lawmakers’ failure to pass laws restricting the sale of ephedrine or pseudoephedrine, the key ingredient to cooking the drug. After laws limiting the sale were passed in Washington and Missouri, a decrease in the number of meth labs followed.

The presentation offered ways to identify people who are using heroin, meth, crack cocaine and Ecstasy. Pyles also was able to share success stories about his time as an undercover drug agent in Baltimore.

Warning signs of drug users include a loss of interest in family activities, disrespect to authority, a sudden drop in grades and truancy. Pyles quipped that, yes, it sounds like the behavior of a normal teen. But parents should be aware of those traits coming up suddenly.

He also warned of the power of peer pressure.

“Kids can be mean,” Pyles said. “We just gotta pray to God they make the right choice.”

The next council meeting is scheduled for 5 p.m. April 24 at Mount Savage School.

Contact Kevin Spradlin at kspradlin@times-news.com.