Observer editorial: The small-town war on drugs

It doesn’t happen here, right?

The rise of drugs in rural America is one of the most pressing issues facing small towns today, especially with the alarming increase in the use of methamphetamine.

In 1998, rural areas in the United States reported 949 meth labs. Five years later, that number had increased to 9,385.

Meth used to be considered a “party state” problem. California, for the large part, was believed to be the host to the majority of meth users.

This is not the case anymore.

In 2009, Nebraska, as a whole, saw 32 meth lab busts.

Now, this number pales in comparison to Nebraska’s neighbor to the southeast, Missouri, which totalled 1,571 meth lab incdents, or Indiana, which tallied 1,198 incidents, but it should still be a concern for citizens of rural Nebraska, as well.

Kimball County Sheriff Harry Gillway has told us that a few years ago there were no meth busts in Kimball, but that number has risen recently due to one main factor: a comprehensive effort to counter the rise of the cheap, deadly substance.

A 2000 Natitional Institute for Justice research brief looked specifically at the use of methamphetamine in rural Nebraska, and determined that first-time users in rural areas were, on average, younger than those who were arrested in the Omaha area for the same charges.

Two-thirds of users in rural areas were between the ages of 18 to 27, and those who used meth often earned more money than those who did not use, or used other drugs, such as marijuana or cocaine.

Unlike these other drugs, where urban rates trump rural occurrences, the usage of methamphetamine rivals big-city life. It is often made poorly, and even when made “right” leads to devastating side effects for not only the user, but those close to them, as well.

It appears as if methamphetamine has not yet gained a foothold in Kimball, despite recent arrests over the substance. This is a credit to the people of Kimball and the outstanding efforts of local law enforcement officials.

Through actions taken by the City of Kimball, as well as Kimball County officials, such as the WING Task Force and other law enforcement programs, this deadly drug seems to attract more and more of the nation’s youth each year has been met head on, with great success.

The small town offers both incentives and disincentives for potential drug users.

On one hand, the low-key atmosphere allows for users to simply blend into the often slow pace of daily life.

On the other hand, everyone knows everyone in small towns. We all know this to be true. And this, some say, is the biggest detractor for potential drug users in rural areas.

So, fellow citizens of Kimball, we urge you to spend time with the people in your lives. Be sure they know that they are loved, and always have an avenue should they ever need to talk.

The bonds of a small community are near-impossible to replicate, and it is thanks to these ties and constant relationships that crime, not only drug usage, remains low in our hometown.

Statistics used were provided by the National Institute of Justice and the Office of National Drug Control Policy.