A post was recently made on the WKVI Discussion board that read, “I work at a local factory for minimum type wages. I have two children and a wife. We’re falling more and more behind every day. Selling meth is looking better all the time.”
Could the economy behind the methamphetamine epidemic in Indiana? John Thorstad, Starke County’s Chief Probation Officer, said the economy might be part of the answer, but fast, easy money is probably more of a reason for producing and selling methamphetamine. He did, however, say law enforcement is having great success in closing down operations here.
Thorstad says that making the drug may be tempting because the ingredients used to make methamphetamine are so readily available.
“It’s an easy drug to make,” said Thorstad. “It’s still dangerous to make though, being corrosive and flammable. But it’s ingredients are easily attainable, where cocaine and heroin are usually from an outside source.”
Thorstad said a high percentage of the 375 adults on probation are drug and alcohol offenders, but methamphetamine clients are difficult to handle. Thorstad said that this is likely caused by the addictive nature of the drug.
“It’s probably the most addictive drug outside of heroin. It’s one of those types of drugs that give a euphoric and lengthy high for the offenders. Many of our clients are right back on it after probation,” Thorstad said.
