Just last week, 11 people were arrested during two raids on
homes in Hollister relating to methamphetamine. In one instance,
four children younger than 3 were at the residence.
The county sheriff told the Free Lance,
”
On some occasions, it seems like we have a big run, but really
it’s just business as usual.
”
It’s a shame Sheriff Curtis Hill would have to say criminal
activity related to methamphetamine is so commonplace. But he is
speaking the truth.
Just last week, 11 people were arrested during two raids on homes in Hollister relating to methamphetamine. In one instance, four children younger than 3 were at the residence.
The county sheriff told the Free Lance, “On some occasions, it seems like we have a big run, but really it’s just business as usual.”
It’s a shame Sheriff Curtis Hill would have to say criminal activity related to methamphetamine is so commonplace. But he is speaking the truth.
Methamphetamine is a problem in San Benito County, a problem far larger than just for the abuser.
Law enforcement agencies have taken action to combat the problem. They have patrolled the streets on a regular basis and have set up undercover operations.
Other measures are taking place also, such as drug prevention, counseling and rehabilitation programs, but we still witness the use, the sale, the devastation of methamphetamine and other drugs in our community as a regular occurrence.
And it all delivers the simple message that we’re missing the most, that a life must be respected.
Methamphetamine is viewed by most experts as the worst drug there is. Drug addiction experts say the strength and suddenness of the addiction is more severe than that of cocaine and possibly more powerful than addiction to alcohol or smoking.
As with most addictions, methamphetamine becomes the center of the abuser’s existence. Everything revolves around it and doing whatever it takes to get more, from burglary, to credit card and check theft to assault and fraud.
Families of addicts can tell how quickly the lives of loved ones deteriorated after they started using the drug. Abusers have run businesses, only to lose everything, including their family, home and work within weeks of starting to use the drug.
Children exposed to labs operating in our neighborhoods are likely to encounter severe liver damage, be malnourished and experience neglect.
We can’t continue to have our neighborhoods filled with drugs and abusers who equate life to a monetary value. We can’t continue to see the lives of our children lost in vain. We can’t continue to get angry about methamphetamine and other drugs then become apathetic after a few weeks.
More apathy means more methamphetamine and other drugs, and more lives lost.
If you suspect drug use or manufacturing in your neighborhood, call the police.
