Brimfield meth problem here to stay

[rpavideo]RPA_TEAM2_METHLABS[/rpavideo]

The Brimfield Police Department has been facing issues with meth for some time and it seems this issue isn’t going anywhere, anytime soon. In light of a recent bust involving two “shake and bake” meth labs in Brimfield on June 8, it seems the meth problem is here to stay.

Sergeant David Knarr of the Brimfield Police Department said meth is an easily manufactured drug because the ingredients needed to make the drug are easily found in local stores like Walmart and Lowe’s. One of the prime ingredients in manufacturing meth is pseudoephedrine, which can be found in many common cold medicines.

“Meth is a drug that can be made from household ingredients. It only takes just a few hours and we can have a finished product,” Knarr said.

Knarr said he believes the meth problem is widespread but that law enforcement officers are extremely proactive and are very tuned in to meth issues in Brimfield.

“We have computer programs that will tell us when people are buying pseudoephedrine and we can target certain drug dealers and certain users,” Knarr said.

Knarr said the computer program law enforcement uses allows them to see exactly who is buying cold medicine containing pseudoephedrine and how much of it is being purchased at one time. To purchase cold medicine containing pseudoephedrine, you must provide a driver’s license in the state of Ohio. This allows law enforcement to track down suspicious purchases of the drug, and potentially arrest those individuals who have the intent to manufacture meth.

“They have a new method now that is a huge problem. They are putting all of the chemicals together in a two-liter bottle and they are doing it with a chemical reaction,” Knarr said.

Knarr said this method is referred to as the “shake and bake” method. It is easy to do and can be done just about anywhere, including in a car. He said “shake and bake” labs use a chemical reaction where lithium and water create a heat source to make the meth and the traditional lab or Red P method, uses chemicals and a heat source to get the reaction. He said Brimfield is not the only place facing meth related crime.  He said Summit county and Ashtabula county are also having issues with meth. Knarr said hotels in the area are a contributing factor to the meth problem. He said people can meet there, manufacture meth, and also hide out if they have an existing warrant.  Knarr said they have crime related to meth at least once a week.

Patty Titko of Brimfield Township, said Brimfield has had a drug problem for some time. She says Brimfield has had problems with meth but other drugs as well.

“It shocks me at how widespread they [meth related crimes] are quite honestly, that people feel they can just get away with this,” Titko said.

Titko said the Brimfield Police Department has done a fantastic job keeping the meth problem under control in her opinion. But she said it is still an issue that needs continued attention. She said she thinksmeth is a problem and that people think they can get away with manufacturing meth in Brimfield because it is a small town. She said it is a perfect location outside of Kent when it comes to manufacturing and selling this drug.

“This has really gotten out of hand,” Titko said.

She said she always votes for levy’s supporting the Brimfield Police Department because they do an outstanding job of keeping her and her family safe.

“I know they are doing their best to keep this community safe,” Titko said.