The Kentucky State Police (KSP) released the annual methamphetamine lab statistics last week and reported that 2009 saw an all-time high in the discovery of meth labs. Police found 716 labs last year, an increase of 60 percent over 2008.

Middlesboro Detective Joe Holder reports that several arrests were made and labs dismantled last year in the city and the dangers of the drug are obvious.

“It’s highly addictive, dangerous to make and users become very violent,” Detective Holder commented.

The invention of a quicker, one-step method for producing meth may be to blame for the rise in production as well as for its movement into more urban areas. The ease of the method and the availability of ingredients make this highly- addictive drug an increasingly popular choice among people in Kentucky and across America.

The effects on Kentucky are not only financially overwhelming (it cost the state $1,373,825 last year to dismantle the labs alone), but exceedingly damaging to neighborhoods and families as well. Since 2005, 350 Kentucky children have been taken from meth lab locations and the parents of most will never be stable enough to regain custody.

Bell County Sheriff Bruce Bennett is particularly concerned with the influence of the drug on local children.

“I’ve seen children whose health has been compromised just from living in a place where meth was made,” he said. “That’s why I’ve always taken drug crimes so seriously; it can be very devastating to the safety and health of our children.”

The “one-pot” method makes mobile labs more prevalent; the drug is now easily manufactured in cars. It also makes it more dangerous. More pressure is needed in the container and that leads to a higher rate of dangerous explosions.

"These [mobile labs] are a big problem because the innocent individuals also living within these structures may not know that the production of meth is taking place," said Major Joseph Williams, Commander for the KSP Special Enforcement Troop.

Laws aimed at reducing production of the drug seem to be having little impact. The Meth Check program of 2008 failed to prevent a 41 percent increase in meth-related crimes. As law enforcement officials and legislators vie for new solutions, they ask members of the community to do what they can.

Anyone with information regarding the production, distribution, or use of Methamphetamines are urged to contact local authorities, at 337-3102 or 248-3636. To anonymously report crimes to state officials involving Methamphetamines, call 1-800 DOPETIP (1-800-367-3847).

Lorie Settles is a correspondent for the Middlesboro Daily News. Contact her via e-mail at correspondent@middlesborodailynews.com.