PRESS RELEASE

SHERIFF WEIDMAN JOINS GOVERNOR DAVIS 

FOR UNVEILING OF ANTI-DRUG PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT CAMPAIGN

Public Service Announcements Intensify Efforts Against Illegal Methamphetamine Drug Trafficking/Use Central Valley to Receive Special Focus
February 6, 2002 

 

  

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SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Continuing his ongoing effort to stop the flow of dangerous and illegal drugs through California, Governor Gray Davis joined Sheriff Les Weidman and other central valley Sheriffs at the State Capitol to unveil two new 30-second Public Service Announcements targeting methamphetamine trafficking and use in California. The Governor also reaffirmed his commitment to place a special focus on the Central Valley, where methamphetamine trafficking is especially prominent.

"The Central Valley, especially Stanislaus County, continues to get hit hard by Methamphetamine," said Sheriff Les Weidman. "Not only do we desperately need the resources to uncover illegal labs, but we also need the public's help." Weidman credited Governor Davis for taking a leadership role in the narcotics interdiction effort.

The Governor's Office of Criminal Justice Planning (OCJP), in coordination with six Sheriff's departments from the Central Valley, produced the first in a series of public service announcements seeking the public's help in identifying and reporting these illegal labs.

"These PSAs intensify the State's efforts to stop meth trafficking and use in California," said Governor Davis. "We must adopt a zero tolerance for these dangerous meth labs that serve no other purpose than to ruin lives."

The PSAs are tailored for each of the six Central Valley counties (Sacramento, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Kern, Fresno, and Tulare) involved in the California Multi-Jurisdictional Methamphetamine Enforcement Team (Cal-MMET) program. The PSAs provide a toll-free number (1-866-METH-LAB) that will connect callers with their local Sheriff's Departments to report any suspected meth lab activity. With a combination of donated air time and media buys, these announcements will run on cable television outlets in the Central Valley later this month.

"For years the Central Valley has been plagued by an explosion of illegal meth labs," continued Governor Davis. "The purpose of this public service campaign is to target and shut down those dangerous, clandestine meth labs operating in neighborhoods - near homes, schools and children. These PSAs continue our war on methamphetamine by giving law enforcement agencies another tool for their anti-drug use arsenal."

Some law enforcement estimates indicate that nearly 80 percent of all meth manufactured in the United States comes from California and that 97 percent of all large scale "super-labs" - those capable of producing 20 pounds of meth in one batch - are located in California.

Last year, Governor Davis provided more than $40 million in his budget for local law enforcement agencies to crack down on meth labs and distribution. This was the largest investment ever in California's war on meth. The PSAs will be used to increase public understanding on the severity of the methamphetamine problem and encourage residents to work with local law enforcement agencies to combat drug trafficking.

Each announcement will run on cable television outlets and target specific counties. The toll-free phone number will allow residents to contact meth-fighting teams in their counties and communities. If a person knows of a meth lab in operation, they are urged to call the number on the screen and make a report. Callers may remain anonymous.

In addition to the Public Service Announcements, Governor Davis has:

• Created the CAL-MMET ("CAL-MET") program, to work closely with the federally funded Central Valley High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area;

• Provided $5 million to help law enforcement track drug manufacturing and transportation statewide;

• Provided $500,000 to purchase a high-tech van capable of detecting meth labs in neighborhoods; and

• Held a three-day conference on the effects of meth on children (sponsored by OCJP).
  

In 1999, law enforcement agents discovered more than 2,000 meth and meth-related labs in California. That averages five per day.

Five years ago, authorities discovered just over 559 labs.

Experts estimate that meth production leaves five pounds of waste, often toxic, for every pound of meth produced. Clean up of the toxic waste is very expensive. In 1997 alone, California taxpayers spent $8 million to clean up 1,600 lab sites.

For information about this news release, contact Sheriff's Department Media Relations Manager Kelly Huston at (209) 567-4401.

Last Updated on February 7, 2002   Comments to the Web Master