Second methamphetamine meeting set for May 4

The second in a series of community meetings to combat methamphetamine use in Carson City is scheduled for May 4.

"What we are going to do is invite the people from the first meeting back and make up some committees based on the information gathered and start a positive approach," said Mayor Marv Teixeira.

Members from the school district, rehabilitation programs, Washoe Tribe and law enforcement gathered April 13 to take an inventory on what drug education and rehabilitation resources are available in Carson City.

Carson City officials have tagged reducing methamphetamine use and sales as their No. 1 priority for the coming year.

Eventually, forums will be open to the public and people will be able to share their ideas on how to fight the war, Teixeira said.

Among those ideas being considered, Sheriff Kenny Furlong is looking into the feasibility of starting up a Methamphetamine Hotline at the Carson City Sheriff's Department that will be manned by deputies and a detective whose sole purpose is to respond to hotline tips.

"As policies are developed, that will be installed," he vowed.

Currently, the Tri-Net Narcotics Task Force gets phone and e-mail tips on meth users and sellers, said acting-Lt. Mitch Pier. Tri-Net is a Nevada Department of Public Safety drug task force comprised of rural law enforcement investigators from Douglas, Lyon, Carson City and Storey county sheriff's departments and the Nevada Department of Public Safety

"I'd say at least one tip a day comes in," he said. Depending on the tip, detectives may do an in-depth investigation or just knock on the door of the suspected drug house.

In the past three months, 26 people have been arrested by Tri-Net officers and 824 grams of methamphetamine has been seized. In all of 2004, Tri-Net was responsible for seizing 4,654 grams of meth and making 151 arrests.

n Contact reporter F.T. Norton at ftnorton@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1213.

Hotline

To make

anonymous tips about drug

activity:

Call Tri-Net at 684-7440 or send an e-mail through its Web site:

www.tri-netnarcotics.com