LEITCHFIELD --The dangers facing the law enforcement officers and firemen of Grayson County was brought to the forefront by Daviess County Sheriff Keith Cain.

Cain came to Leitchfield and presented numerous facts about the drug methamphetamine. Grayson County Sheriff Joe Brad Hudson had scheduled Cain's appearance after the massive increase in methamphetamine manufacturing and possession arrests in the county. The area has seen nearly a 300% increase in meth and meth related crimes in the past few years. Up until 1988 99% of the drug coming into the area was imported from the west coast, stated Cain.

After that the newest method of making the illicit drug filtered into rural farming areas like Grayson County. Cain said that his department averages taking down approximately two labs per week in the Owensboro area. "No other drug has created the problems we are seeing with meth. There isn't even a close second." He was referring to a general increase in crimes associated with the drug's use.

Methamphetamine is a dangerous, unpredictable, and sometimes lethal drug. It has several street names; meth, speed, ice, crystal, and CRANK.

The crank moniker is the most used name in our area, stated Cain. It is the fastest growing drug threat to our communities.

Meth use increases the heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature, respiration and frequently results in extremely violent behavior. What is really scary about meth users is their tendency to carry weapons while using the drug. users of meth tend to become paranoid with thoughts of invincibility and omnipotence with continued use of this central nervous system stimulant.In 1999 it was estimated that over 9.5 million Americans had tried methamphetamine in their lifetime. This was a drastic increase from the 1994 figure of 3.8 million who had tried the drug.

Cain also stated that the preferred way to use the illicit drug was to smoke it by heating it and inhaling the smoking fumes. :It hits their systems immediately!" "Western Kentucky is smack in the middle of a methamphetamine epidemic," exclaimed Cain. "This is a war being waged right here in our backyards," he added. The vast majority of people making the drug are also under its influence when making it. That's the real danger. They are extremely unpredictable and can be violent."