There are a number of signs that indicate that someone is producing, distributing, and/or using meth. A single sign generally does not provide enough information to make a meaningful assessment. Community members that are suspicious should look for signs such as these, track suspicious activity and share that information with neighborhood watch groups and local law enforcement. COncerned citizens should NEVER take the law into their own hands or place themselves in t he way of potential sanger. Neighborhood watch groups can provide support and information re: illicit behavior. 

• Excessive foot traffic to a home or property
• Loitering in or around house or property
• Cycles of non-stop activity at a home (ALL hours of the day and night) including o loud noises, lights, and activity
• Unkempt home or property. I.e. garbage piling up, closed blinds, seemingly functional appliances or cars pulled apart.
• Frequent and unusual patterns of visitors
  • Stop  -  Enter  -  Leave

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY SPECIFIC DATA FOR 2006:

• Adult Crime - 352 of 1,083 ( 33%) of Sheriff's Arrests were Meth related
• Drug Treatment Admissions - Over 40% were Meth Related
• Child Protective Services - 35% of Filed Petitions were Meth related

HOW METH AFFECTS THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE:

• Every pound of meth made can generate up to five pounds of toxic waste that may seep into the soil and groundwater. 

                  The manufacturing process generates toxic fumes. These fumes can severely harm anyone exposed to them. Meth labs also generate highly explosive gases.

•  Parents high on meth neglect their children.

Meth, chemicals, and syringes are all within reach of these children. The mental, physical, and emotional consequences for these Drug Endangered Children are often severe. Many children are rescued from homes with meth labs or meth using parents.  

*   During the month of February 2007, methamphetamine was allegedly used by parents in 49% of child welfare cases in Santa Cruz County.       

*   Of those cases, 61% had children under five.

Millions of our tax dollars are spent each year to clean up meth labs, to care for Drug Endangered Children, and to pay for law enforcement to deal with the meth problem.

Photo provided by:
Cheyenne Albro,
Director of the Pennyrile
Narcotics Task Force