Salem-News.com Meth articles Page 7

Op-Ed: Strike Force Police and Meth as a Political Campaign Issue

More money for more strike force cops and more arrests, more people in jail, more kids in an overcrowded foster care system, all in the fight against Meth, but who is being served? I've seen the Republican meth fighters come to a meth house before, once. They stayed long enough to have their pictures taken and do a couple of interviews, then it was off to lunch and bigger and better things.

(SALEM) - Despite the fanfare and talk, we're nowhere close to solving the meth problem here in Oregon.

Winters Leads Kick-off For Anti-Meth Task Force Fundraising Effort

(SALEM) - State Senator Jackie Winters (R-Salem)kicked off an Anti-Meth Task Force fundraising effort at the Grand Ballroom Wednesday that she says involves interests from all levels of government and the private sector.

“Today, we come together to say with one loud and strong voice; meth has no place in our neighborhoods,” stated Winters. “One in three people in Marion County are adversely affected by methamphetamine and it is my hope that we are turning the corner towards a better tomorrow for them.”

The goal of the event was to pool the financial resources of the business community to help create a strike force made up of law enforcement agencies across the county.

Governor Renews Successful Meth Task Force

We’re making progress protecting communities, Kulongoski said.

(SALEM) - Governor Kulongoski has announced the renewal of his Meth Task Force and pledged to build on the state’s success in fighting the deadly drug.

"We’re making progress against meth by restricting supply, cutting demand and giving communities the tools they need to fight this epidemic at the neighborhood level," the Governor said. " I’m renewing the Meth Task Force so that that we can work together and build on our success. There’s still more to be done."

Last year, the Governor worked with a bi-partisan coalition of legislators to pass the nation’s toughest meth law, resulting in a 77-percent reduction in the number of the meth labs in Oregon.

State Police and DEA Move on Junction City Home Locating Several Meth Labs

Harley Brewer was lodged at the Lane County Jail on the nine charges including... stealing Harley's.

(JUNCTION CITY) - State Police say that following a nearly two-month long investigation into an individual known to be manufacturing and selling methamphetamine, detectives and DEA agents served a search warrant Saturday morning that led to the man's arrest and the discovery of four separate meth labs on the property west of Junction City.

On Saturday, August 26th at 5:00 AM, State Police detectives with the Governor's Methamphetamine Initiative Team were joined by DEA agents from Eugene, a chemist from the San Francisco DEA crime laboratory, and members of the Oregon State Police Special Weapons and Tacticts Team.

Together, they executed a state search warrant at 24751 Lavell Road which is approximately 9 miles west of Junction City in rural Lane County. The property owner, H61-year old Arley Harold Brewer was the focus of the investigation.

Berger Wants to Revive Oregon Meth Registry Bill

The bill would require the state to alert residents -- whether through an internet registry or other means -- when a convicted meth maker is released from prison into their neighborhood.

(SALEM) - If you are convicted of manufacturing methamphetamine in Oregon, you may be required to register in Oregon with state, or local police if a bill passes the state legislature next session.

The bill, which drew some support last session, will be re-submitted by Republican Rep. Vicki Berger of Salem, and would require people who are convicted for meth manufacturing to register with state police or a local police agency like convicted sex offenders.

Governor Unveils a New Community Tool to Fight Meth

New ‘Meth Toolkits’ are available to communities throughout the state.

(PORTLAND) - Governor Kulongoski Monday rolled-out the "Target Meth Oregon Toolkit," a new tool that can enable communities to take control of local neighborhoods and fight methamphetamine use and trafficking.

"Today, we’re presenting a ‘toolkit’ that communities can use to help people make a difference in the fight against meth," the Governor said. "In it, you’ll find information about community resources and programs for treatment and prevention. You’ll also find a list of prevention experts in each county."

Congresswoman Darlene Hooley’s Meth Forum

The big issues were an increased need for funding law enforcement, treatment and prevention programs.

(SALEM) - Darlene Hooley’s Meth Forum held Saturday morning at the Senator Hearing Room, Courthouse Square, brought a wealth of information to the roomful of interested professionals and citizens.

Oregon Attorney General and Silverton Police Chief Sponsor August Public Forum Focusing on Fighting ID Theft

The forum featuring Oregon's top law enforcement officer and an expert who recently completed 6 months training police in Iraq, it should offer valuable insight geared toward ending a huge worldwide problem.

(SILVERTON) - Silverton Chief of Police Rick Lewis and Attorney General Hardy Myers want Silverton area residents to know how to protect themselves and their families from the fastest growing crime in the world: Identity Theft.

The two law enforcement agencies will convene a free, public forum on Identity Theft on Wednesday, August 16th at 7:00 PM in the Silverton Council Chambers, 421 South Water, Silverton.

Jan Margosian, consumer information coordinator for the Oregon Department of Justice, will represent Attorney General Hardy Myers’ office, focusing on the many ways individuals, their families and small business can prevent being victims of identity theft.

Salem Man Arrested, Drug Enforcement Agents Seize One Pound of Meth

A pound of meth police say they found in a hidden compartment, has a street value estimated in excess of $40,000.

(REDMOND) - Agents from the Central Oregon Drug Enforcement Team found a pound of methamphetamine worth over $40,000 in a hidden compartment of a van in the parking lot of the Redmond Wal-Mart on Friday.

The driver of the van, 33 year-old Jose Perez-Chavez, of Salem, was arrested on multiple charges and taken to the Deschutes County Jail.

Thatcher Launches Effort to Combat Meth in Neighborhoods

Thatcher's plans could allow the community to reclaim many of the homes damaged by meth production.

(SALEM) - “We need to encourage, not discourage community groups who want to help in the fight against meth,” said State Representative Kim Thatcher (R-Keizer) as she announced new legislation to assist community groups trying to rehabilitate homes ruined by methamphetamine labs.

After a Legislative Committee met with realtors today, Thatcher asked industry experts about the problems associated with cleaning up and reselling houses formerly occupied by meth cooks.

Last year, Thatcher toured a home in Keizer which was purchased and then renovated by the Salem Association of Realtors.

Real estate agents Lisa and Pete Zielinski assisted with the project. “I appreciate Representative Thatcher’s interest in programs like this and her willingness to open doors to make this more feasible for other organizations,” said Lisa Zielinski.