THE UNION Articles on
Meth -- September
KVMR hosts meth meeting, Dave Moller, September 29, 2005
Doolittle seeks funds to fight meth, News Brief, September 28, 2005
Traffic stop nets meth, Trina Kleist, September 22, 2005
Agency to fight drug abuse George Boardman, September 19, 2005
Meth arrests may lead to rehab, Trina Kleist, September 12, 2005
Parolee arrested for selling meth, Dave Moller, September 10, 2005
Medical marijuana, Melanie Sullivan, September 8, 2005
Tonight's town hall seeks solutions to deep-seated scourge
Dave Moller,
davem@theunion.com
September 29, 2005
There has been plenty of public hand-wringing over Nevada County's methamphetamine problem as the human toll has risen in recent years .
Tonight, a town hall meeting is aimed at truly making a difference.
The event, broadcast live on KVMR 89.5 FM, will be held at 8 p.m. at the Center for the Arts in Grass Valley.
"It was time for the recovery community to address the situation," said Angel Bojorquez, a former drug addict and KVMR disc jockey who will produce the broadcast.
"We know the effect, but nobody wants to talk about the cause."
Tonight, the goal is to find ways to tackle the causes and start pushing meth abuse out of the community.
"When you have an epidemic, who do you call?" Bojorquez said. "You call the specialists."
Those specialists will sit on the panel for the meeting, and they all deal with the reality of meth use almost daily. They will include:
• Warren Daniels and Jim Burnett of the Community Recovery Resources group, which helps people with alcohol and drug problems start new lives.
• Bob Rogers, a former addict and member of the recovery group's alumni association.
• Steve Mason, who handles adult drug court cases through the probation department and served 30 years with the sheriff's office.
• Richard Wilcox, the attorney who deals with drug court rehabilitation cases for the county's public defender's office.
"We need to educate the community," Wilcox said. "We need to let kids know what they're doing."
Using meth, he said, is ingesting a poison that often lands the users in the Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital emergency room.
The town hall will help the public learn how to help friends struggling through addiction or how users can escape the destructive cycle of meth themselves.
KVMR news director and recovered addict Mike Thornton will host the program.
"I was a dope fiend myself, so I know a lot about this," Thornton said.
"I'm hoping people will come out who have drug problems and call in (with questions for the program)."
While the dark aspects of addiction are often the most visible, the forum also will share insights into what's actually helping, Daniels said.
"There's been a lot of gloom and doom going on with meth in Nevada County, but there's a lot of success stories out there, too," Daniels said.
"There's a solution to the problem and it starts with awareness and education for employers and the community. We have to get proactive and decide we don't want this in this town."
Daniels said his research found that Nevada County's civil grand jury is the only one in the nation that has highlighted a methamphetamine problem in its community.
In the report issued earlier this year, the grand jury found methamphetamine is costing the county millions in tax dollars and is the cause of many child-abuse and domestic-violence cases.
The grand jury concluded that education and community involvement are the only ways to combat the meth problem. Tonight's meeting is designed to fill that void and get the community off the proverbial dime.
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To contact senior staff writer Dave Moller, e-mail davem@theunion.com or call 477-4237.
Know and Go
• What: Town hall meeting on methamphetamine abuse
• When: 8 p.m. today
• Where: Center for the Arts, 314 W. Main Street, Grass Valley. You can also listen to it live on KVMR 89.5 FM.
News Briefs
September 28, 2005
Doolittle seeks funds to fight meth
Money to combat methamphetamine nationwide is needed, U.S. Rep. John Doolittle, R-Calif., told his fellow representatives Monday. He urged the House of Representatives to approve $900 million to train law enforcement officers to deal with meth.
The Senate has already recommended the spending, Doolittle spokeswoman Laura Blackann said, but the House included only $366 million in its version of the Department of Justice Fiscal Year 2006 appropriations bill.
"For too long now, we have watched as the harmful effects of methamphetamine have turned our communities upside down. The funding not only provides our police forces with necessary support in the fight against meth, but is critical to curbing a culture of drug abuse," Doolittle said.
The money would be used in the Edward Byrne Justice Assistance Memorial Grant program, Blackann said.
2 men arrested, large amount of drug seized
By Trina Kleist,
trinak@theunion.com
September 22, 2005
A routine traffic stop in Grass Valley early Wednesday resulted in the arrest of two men and the seizure of an unusually large amount of methamphetamine, police said.
Robert M. Kendall, 26, was arrested and booked into Wayne Brown Correctional Facility on suspicion of possession, possession for sale, resisting arrest, concealing evidence and arrest while on probation.
Grass Valley police said Kendall, with whom they have had frequent contact, had nearly two and a half ounces of crystalline methamphetamine - about half a cup of small white rocks.
"This is the most we've had in quite a while," arresting officer Mike Sullivan said.
Also arrested and jailed was Matthew Dan Davis, 23, on suspicion of possession and possession for sale.
The two were stopped on Maiden Lane near Appleton Street at 2:15 a.m., according to police logs.
Kendall, the passenger, took off running, Capt. Greg Hart said. "He was seen throwing objects onto the street, including glass objects."
Kendall stumbled on a drain grate, and an officer used a Taser to subdue him, Hart said.
Officers Sullivan and Alex Gammelgard picked up off the street 66 grams of what appeared to be freshly cooked methamphetamine.Officers also found $2,963. Much of it was in $100 and $50 bills, and more was rolled up into $50 bundles and stuffed into a large glass jar.
They also reportedly found a small tin of prescription pain-killers, tiny plastic bags and a small electronic scale. Some items had to be retrieved from the drain where Kendall had allegedly thrown them, Hart said.
The items can be used for selling small amounts of the drug. Sales typically consist of amounts as small as one-tenth of a gram, which sells for about $20. Sales of one-quarter gram are common and could serve for multiple doses, depending on the user, Hart said.
The amount seized Wednesday totaled 66 grams.
The crystalline form is more expensive and gives a longer, more intense high, drug experts said Wednesday. Officers said they are finding an increasing connection between meth and pain-killers, as users combining the two get both an accelerating and depressing effect.
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To contact staff writer Trina Kleist, e-mail trinak@theunion.com or call 477-4231.
United Way aims to raise $300,000 in 2005 campaign
By George Boardman,
georgeb@theunion.com
September 19, 2005
United Way of Nevada County is kicking off its 2005 campaign to raise $300,000 with a sweet incentive to contribute to the drive.
Campaign volunteers will be handing out free doughnuts (along with United Way literature and pledge cards) from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. Tuesday at the Rood Administrative Center in Nevada City, and from 10 to 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Citizens Bank branch office on Combie Road.
Sheriff Keith Royal, honorary chairman of the fund drive, will help pass out the goodies at the Rood Center, and yes, he's heard all the jokes about cops and doughnuts.
But the sheriff is willing to put up with any friendly jibes he gets, because the focus of the campaign this year is substance abuse, with 60 to 70 percent of the donations going to 16 of United Way's 26 partners that deal with the effects of substance abuse and addiction.
"A great deal of the crime we deal with ... is related in some degree to substance abuse," Royal said. "Our community has made it a priority to deal with and hopefully eradicate this problem. United Way has set it as a top priority.
"(The United Way campaign) is a great opportunity for the community to focus its attention on this problem. We want to ensure that we provide a tremendous quality of life for all who live in Nevada County."
Lindy Beatie, executive director of the local United Way, said the organization decided on an informal start to the campaign - they traditionally hold a kickoff breakfast - to bring "our message to the people."
"It's an opportunity for local residents to come by and hear about our campaign focus," she said of the doughnut giveaways. "We want people to understand the value of community giving. Together, everyone can become an investor, working toward a healthier, safer community."
This year's campaign goal is a considerable jump over the $213,000 raised last year. Beatie said the board of directors felt it needed to set the bar high to make an impact.
For information on contributing to the campaign or hosting an employee campaign, call 274-8111.
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To contact staff writer George Boardman, e-mail georgeb@theunion.com or call 477-4236.
Meth arrests may lead to rehab
Prop. 36 program is alternative to jail for 6 busted in July
By Trina Kleist, trinak@theunion.com
September 12, 2005
Six people arrested in a July 28 methamphetamine raid in Penn Valley all are expected to enter a much-debated drug rehabilitation program established by Proposition 36.
Some of those involved still face sentencing this week.
California voters in 2000 approved Prop. 36, officially known as the Substance Abuse and Crime Prevention Act. The idea behind the law is to give people a chance to get off drugs and receive counseling to help them put their lives back together.
Available only to first- and second-time nonviolent drug offenders, Prop. 36 offers defendants a rehabilitation program instead of a prison sentence. Those who participate are given two chances to slip up. The third time they violate the terms of the program, they can be required to serve out the original prison sentence.
About one-third of those who get treatment under the program stay in it the full three years, according to a study released this summer by the University of California, Los Angeles.
Someone accused of a drug crime typically pleads guilty or "no contest" to at least one charge as part of the agreement to enter the three-year probationary program.
The elements of the program include:
• The accused person gives up the right to a trial and other rights to certain legal processes leading up to trial.
• The person must attend drug rehabilitation meetings. Many of those in the Penn Valley group were ordered to attend meetings three times a week, including while in jail.
• The person may be required to participate in community service, vocational training or family counseling, and may have to pay restitution.
• The person participates in a drug treatment program of up to one year, though the actual time is usually much less.
• The person must register with police as a controlled-substance offender and be subject to drug and alcohol tests.
• The person may not own a firearm.
If the person completes all terms, at the end of three years he or she can ask for the original charges to be dismissed. However, probation can be revoked for any nondrug-related arrest.
Following are updates on the six people arrested in Penn Valley:
• Jessica Marie Hoppis, 18, had been arrested in the initial raid but was not jailed. She was charged with being under the influence of meth, a misdemeanor, and pleaded no contest on Aug. 22. She will be placed on probation through the Prop. 36 program and pay a fine; sentencing and a probation report is set for 2:30 p.m. on Sept. 12.
Hoppis has an additional vehicle code violation.
• Shilo A. Wells, 24, of Cedar Ridge, had pleaded innocent to several felony and misdemeanor drug charges and felony child endangerment, On Aug. 30, she pleaded no contest to felony drug possession and will enter the Prop. 36 drug rehabilitation program and pay a fine. Remaining drug charges will be dismissed at sentencing Sept. 12.
The remaining charge of child endangerment was reduced to a misdemeanor. Wells will be arraigned on the charge at 1 p.m. on Sept. 14, facing a 45-day sentence.
A judge denied her request to reduce bail of $150,000.
• Gregory P. Liddle, 20, of Grass Valley, was charged with various felony and misdemeanor drug charges. He pleaded no contest on Aug. 30 to a misdemeanor charge of being under the influence of meth; remaining charges were dismissed. He will enter the Prop 36 program and pay a fine.
Liddle also has a vehicle code violation.
• Leslie E. Schofield, 25, of Penn Valley, was charged with various felony and misdemeanor drug charges as well as child endangerment.
On Aug. 30, Schofield pleaded no contest to felony drug possession, and the remaining drug charges were dismissed. Sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 12 at 2:30 p.m.; he will enter the Prop. 36 drug rehabilitation program and pay a fine.
An arraignment on the child endangerment charge is scheduled for Sept. 14 at 1 p.m.
• Bradley T. Stewart, 25, of Cedar Ridge, had pleaded innocent to several felony and misdemeanor drug charges and child endangerment. On Aug. 30, he pleaded no contest to being under the influence of meth, and all remaining charges were dismissed. He will serve 90 days in jail, enter the Prop. 36 program and pay a fine.
• Jenelle C. Clark, 32, of Penn Valley, had pleaded guilty to felony meth possession on Aug. 11; other felony and misdemeanor drug and child endangerment charges were dismissed.
Clark received a suspended sentence on Aug. 28, and will enter the Prop. 36 program; she also must pay a fine. Her first quarterly review is set in court for 2:30 p.m. Monday.
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To contact staff writer Trina Kleist, e-mail trinak@theunion.com or call 477-4231.
Parolee arrested for selling meth
By Dave Moller,
davem@theunion.com
September 10, 2005
A state prison parolee from Grass Valley was arrested near Highway 174 Friday with almost three ounces of suspected methamphetamine, authorities said.
Derrick Woodgrift, 42, was arrested at gunpoint on Meadow Drive in the Peardale area by Nevada County Sheriff's officers and detectives who were acting on a tip.
Woodgrift was trying to disguise himself with a hat visor pulled over his face at the arrest scene and had recently painted his truck green from its original red, said Sheriff's Lt. Ron Smith.
The Auburn office of the California Department of Corrections "had been looking for him for four months," Smith said.A drug-sniffing dog found the alleged methamphetamine in several plastic bags. Also found was an electronic gram scale, pay-owe sheets from suspected customers and $1,690 in cash, Smith said.
Woodgrift was booked into the Wayne Brown Correctional Facility on a Department of Corrections warrant and county charges of possession and transportation of drugs and possession of drugs for sale.
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To contact senior staff writer Dave Moller, e-mail davem@theunion.com or call 477-4237.
By Melanie Sullivan
September 8, 2005
Thank you for presenting a fair and representative article on the pot bust in The Union. For those working to reform marijuana laws to provide safe and legal access of medicinal cannabis to the chronic and terminally ill, presenting the facts in articles like this is perhaps one of the single most valuable tools in raising awareness in people who have no real experience or understanding of the medical cannabis issue.
Abuse of the system is one of the greatest disservices to those working diligently to understand compliance of the laws provided by the State of California and look to provide a means for safe access. So many people have formed opinons and prejudices on the medical cannabis issue without investigating the facts. May these people never sit in the pain and deterioration of chronic disease and terminal illness.
Responsible reporting of this issue is not only refreshing, but more importantly serves the folks who cannot raise their voice because their entire existence revolves around chemotherapy, medical appointments and "what is your pain level today ...?" On their behalf, thank you for reporting on the benefits of medical marijuana.
Melanie Sullivan, Nevada City