MUHLENBERG CO., KY (WFIE) -
The Muhlenberg County Sheriff's Office says last year they seized 16 meth labs throughout the county, and so far in 2012, that number is already at 30.
"It has moved from what I feel like is epidemic to pandemic," said Curtis McGehee, Muhlenberg County Sheriff.
Sheriff McGehee says this drug has an addiction rate of 95% to 98% for first time users, something that is absolutely adding to this increase.
"Within five years of using the drug, 90% of the users are going to be brain damaged, dead, or incarcerated," McGehee said.
The sheriff's office alone is on pace to triple the amount of meth labs turned in for all of last year from every agency in the county.
"I don't think we've got more meth labs. We've got some different approaches on how to find and how to locate them," said Detective Troy Gibson with the Pennyrile Area Narcotics Task Force.
Police say 51-year-old Elijah Smith is charged with manufacturing meth.
Detective Gibson says that meth arrest was similar to many others because it starts with something like a tip from the public or simply a welfare check.
"While we were there we noticed some items. They ended up getting a traffic stop on the owner, we got permission to search, and we found items used to manufacture meth in the house and also under the house," Detective Gibson said.
There are several signs that a meth lab may be in your neighborhood. The sheriff's office says the strong scent of anhydrous ammonia may be one sign, as well as traffic in the middle of the night.
"It's not unusual for them to have that traffic in and out of their home, 2:00 a.m. or 3:00 a.m. People that are using methamphetamine are normally stimulated to the point where they go day and night," McGehee said.
McGehee says it's important to try and eliminate this drug from the community because it's not only addictive and deadly, but also dangerous to neighbors.
"If a person has a meth lab in their car, if they have a meth lab in their home, they have a potential bomb," McGehee said.
The sheriff's office says there are several ways you can leave public tips about drug related activity that include their website, their Facebook page, and just visiting their office in downtown Greenville.
Copyright 2012 WFIE. All rights reserved.
Elijah Smith. Source: Muhlenberg County Jail
