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Help in the fight against drugs
By SHERIFF TODD DAHL Crow Wing sheriff In the many presentations I am fortunate to give each month, the topic of narcotics or drugs comes up quite frequently.
Drugs destroy millions of lives each year. The most disturbing aspect of this problem is the damage to our young people and the threat drugs have on our country.
Many people who are considered addicted to drugs started with marijuana. It is more potent today than it was a few years ago as certain growing techniques and selective use of seeds have produced a more powerful drug. Effects are loss of coordination and distortions of sense of time, vision or hearing. Sleepiness, reddening of the eyes and an increase in appetite are all reported. Long-term effects include liver damage, heart damage and the inability to fight off illness.
Methamphetamines are a highly addictive and powerful man-made stimulant that causes aggression and violent, psychotic behavior. Many users report getting hooked (addicted) from the first time they use it. It is still one of the hardest drugs to treat. Disturbed sleep patterns, hyperactivity, nausea, delusions of power, increased aggressiveness and irritability are reported.
Cocaine and crack cocaine can be taken orally, through the nose (snorted), intravenously or, in the case of crack inhalation, from the fumes after heating it. The term cocaine refers to the drug in a powder form and a crystal (crack) form. Next to methamphetamine, it creates the greatest psychological dependence of any drug. Cocaine causes a short-lived intense high that is immediately followed by the opposite - depression, edginess and a craving for more of the drug. Hostility, paranoia and feelings of extreme anger are symptoms.
Stolen prescription drugs are becoming more and more prevalent in our society. Often times a relative will steal drugs from parents. The drugs are easily accessible and it's difficult to prove that they were taken from a family member and not simply misplaced.
The Lakes Area Drug Investigative Division in Crow Wing County is made up of several area law enforcement officers assigned solely to investigate and combat the war on drugs. I continue to encourage you to report situations that you believe involve drugs in our county at 825-3422 and at the sheriff's office at 829-4749, or go to the county Web site at www.co.crow-wing.mn.us for more information.
Working together as a team, we can do tremendous things, and reporting is the first step.
TODD DAHL is the Crow Wing County sheriff.
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