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The Chippewa Falls Police Department has long been committed to combating illegal drug use. In order to
effectively fight this problem, law enforcement must constantly evaluate ever changing drug trends to identify the
most current drug threats. Prescription drug abuse has become that threat and deserves our attention.
Prescription drug abuse has always existed but was just overshadowed by other drug problems. Today however,
prescription drug abuse has become more prevalent and the devastating effects are finally being realized.
As a law enforcement agency, we have always worked to control a wide variety of illegal drugs being used
throughout our region. Marijuana, cocaine, LSD and even heroin have always been in the spotlight. Only a few
years ago, methamphetamine emerged as our number one drug concern and for good reason. With
methamphetamine, it is easy to see how devastating the drug can be. Prescription drug abuse is just as
devastating; however, it may not be quite as apparent to the average citizen. While law enforcement and
communities have been busy fighting the more traditional illegal drugs, prescription drug abuse has silently grown.
Now this problem is well rooted within our own community. Prescription drug abuse is not only a local problem but
is now also being recognized as a new national drug problem.
While drugs such as Oxycontin, Methadone, Ritalin and Morphine have very legitimate uses, these drugs are also
very desirable to persons who wish to abuse them.
Within the past several years, area law enforcement began to notice an increase in the number of deaths that were
associated with prescription drug abuse. Last year, the Police Department investigated two deaths that were
directly attributed to the illegal use of prescription drugs. In both cases several persons were criminally charged.
The abuse of prescription medication is now the most common form of drug abuse in our area. From the
perspective of the Police Department, it appears that prescription drug abuse is more common than even
marijuana use. People of all ages are abusing prescription medications ranging from middle school age to senior
citizens.
This drug trend raises a number of interesting questions. In particular, how did prescription medication abuse get
to this level? Perhaps the leading reason is availability. Prescription drugs are everywhere. Medical science has
rendered many marvelous drugs and that’s good because we all benefit. However, some of these drugs also have
a high propensity for abuse.
Take a look in your own medicine cabinet and you will likely find an old prescription bottle of Vicodin or some other
pain medication your doctor prescribed to you or a family member some time ago. That very medication is just
sitting there waiting for somebody to take and abuse.
Because prescription medications are everywhere, abusers don’t have to look far to find what they want. Our
Department, like other area law enforcement agencies, has noticed a significant increase in medication thefts
being reported. Medications are also a target during residential burglaries. Of course, law enforcement is always
concerned that prescription medication may be the catalyst for pharmacy burglaries or robberies.
Another factor that contributes to this problem may be the social acceptance of legal medication use. Prescription
medicine is so common in our society that we forget they are really controlled substances that can be misused.
Just watch television for 30 minutes and you will likely see an ad or two about some type of drug. During the ad,
you are likely reminded to “ask your doctor” about the product. Although the advertisement is meant to sell a
legitimate product for a legitimate medical problem, these types of repeated messages change our perspective,
leading us to assume that prescription drug use is totally acceptable for everyone and for everything. As a result,
we end up with a more casual view on prescription medications.
How people get these prescription drugs? Although there are many ways, illegal diversion will usually fall under the
categories of theft, deception or outright illegal sales and trading.
As was mentioned earlier, theft is a very common way of obtaining medication for abuse. People must protect their
medications just like other valuables. We don’t typically keep large sums of money on the kitchen counter or in an
unlocked cabinet, yet we put our prescription medications in these very locations. Why do we make it so easy for
someone to find and take? Police officers hear stories every day about medication being stolen from the home by
a family member, friend or visitor.
Deception commonly involves a couple of schemes. This would include persons who seek prescription drugs by
presenting “false symptoms” to a health care professional in hopes of receiving a prescription. Some are so bold
as to ask for a specific drug during their medical visit. There are also those who will forge prescriptions or alter a
legitimate prescription to increase the quantity.
Of course, there is the outright illegal sales and trading. Prescription medications are sold and traded on the street
just like other illicit drugs such as marijuana or cocaine. Some of these drugs are fruits of other crimes such as
burglary or robbery. Other times, it may be a person simply selling or trading his or her own prescription
medication. Our Department has even dealt with parents who have diverted their own children’s medication for use
and sale.
With all the different avenues to obtain prescription drugs it should be no surprise that prescription drug abuse has
become a major problem. Law enforcement cannot solve this problem alone. Just like other drug issues, it takes
the entire community working together to resolve this problem. After all, it is everyone’s problem.
Submitted by Wayne A Nehring, Chief of Police
Chippewa Falls Police Department
Chair, Chippewa County Drug Response Task Force
Methamphetamine is made in illegal laboratories and has a high potential for abuse and addiction. Street
methamphetamine is referred to by many names, such as "speed," "meth," and "chalk." Methamphetamine
hydrochloride, clear chunky crystals resembling ice, which can be inhaled by smoking, is referred to as "ice,"
"crystal," "glass," and "tina."
Health Hazards
Methamphetamine releases high levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine, which stimulates brain cells,
enhancing mood and body movement. It also appears to have a neurotoxic effect, damaging brain cells that
contain dopamine as well as serotonin, another neurotransmitter. Over time, methamphetamine appears to cause
reduced levels of dopamine, which can result in symptoms like those of Parkinson’s disease, a severe movement
disorder.
Methamphetamine is taken orally or intranasally (snorting the powder), by intravenous injection, and by
smoking. Immediately after smoking or intravenous injection, the methamphetamine user experiences an intense
sensation, called a “rush” or “flash,” that lasts only a few minutes and is described as extremely pleasurable. Oral
or intranasal use produces euphoria—a high, but not a rush. Users may become addicted quickly, and use it with
increasing frequency and in increasing doses.
Animal research going back more than 20 years shows that high doses of methamphetamine damage neuron cell
endings. Dopamine- and serotonin-containing neurons do not die after methamphetamine use, but their nerve
endings (“terminals”) are cut back, and regrowth appears to be limited.
The central nervous system (CNS) actions that result from taking even small amounts of methamphetamine include
increased wakefulness, increased physical activity, decreased appetite, increased respiration, hyperthermia, and
euphoria. Other CNS effects include irritability, insomnia, confusion, tremors, convulsions, anxiety, paranoia, and
aggressiveness. Hyperthermia and convulsions can result in death.
Methamphetamine causes increased heart rate and blood pressure and can cause irreversible damage to
blood vessels in the brain, producing strokes. Other effects of methamphetamine include respiratory problems,
irregular heartbeat, and extreme anorexia. Its use can result in cardiovascular collapse and death.
Extent of Use
Monitoring the Future Study (MTF)*
MTF assesses the extent of drug use among adolescents (8th-, 10th-, and 12th-graders) and young adults across
the country. Recent data from the survey indicate the following:
In 2004, 6.2 percent of high school seniors had reported lifetime** use of methamphetamine, statistically
unchanged from 2003. Lifetime use was measured at 5.3 percent of 10th grade students.
Eighth-graders reported significant decreases in lifetime, annual, and 30-day use.
Community Epidemiology Work Group (CEWG)**
Results reported at the most recent CEWG meetings indicate that methamphetamine abuse and production
continue at high levels in Hawaii, west coast areas, and some southwestern areas of the United States—but
methamphetamine abuse also is continuing to spread eastward.
The percentage of adult male arrestees testing methamphetamine-positive in 2003 were highest in Honolulu (40.3
percent), Phoenix (38.3) San Diego (36.2), and Los Angeles (28.7).
Several other items of significance were reported, as follows:
The numbers of clandestine methamphetamine laboratory incidents reported to the National Clandestine
Laboratory Database decreased from 1999 to 2004. During this same period, methamphetamine lab incidents
increased in midwestern States (Illinois, Michigan, and Ohio), and in Pennsylvania. In 2004, more lab incidents
were reported in Illinois (926) than in California (673). In 2003, methamphetamine lab incidents reached new highs
in Georgia (250), Minnesota (309), and Texas (677). There were only seven methamphetamine lab incidents
reported in Hawaii in 2004.
In the first 6 months of 2004, nearly 59 percent of substance abuse treatment admissions (excluding alcohol) in
Hawaii were for primary methamphetamine abuse. San Diego followed, with nearly 51 percent. Notable increases in
methamphetamine treatment admissions occurred in Atlanta (10.6 percent in the first 6 months of 2004, as
compared with 2.5 percent in 2001) and Minneapolis/St. Paul (18.7 percent in the first 6 months of 2004, as
compared with 10.6 percent in 2001).
Some MDMA (ecstasy) and cocaine users are switching to methamphetamine, ignorant of its severe toxicity.
In many gay clubs found throughout New York City and elsewhere, methamphetamine is often used in an injectable
form, placing users and their partners at risk for transmission of HIV, hepatitis C, and other STDs.
National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH)****
According to the 2003 NSDUH, 12.3 million Americans age 12 and older had tried
methamphetamine at least once in their lifetimes (5.2 percent of the population), with the majority
of past-year users between 18 and 34 years of age. Significant decreases in past year use were
seen among 12- to 17-year-olds
Information on this page provided by www.drugabuse.gov/NIDAhome.html