Methamphetamine use and arrests increasing in Lincoln

The illegal stimulant, methamphetamine, has continuously been listed on the arrest logs by Placer County law enforcement agencies. The number of drug-related arrests in Lincoln has risen from 192 in the first 10 months of 2019 compared to 306 during the same time period in 2020, according to the Lincoln Police Department. Because the main ingredient for methamphetamine, pseudoephedrine, has been relatively easy to buy for production,and its market price is low, meth use has become more widespread locally and nationwide, according to the federal government's High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Program. Methamphetamine has been called "the most significant drug threat to Northern California" in both urban and small rural communities by the U.S. National Drug Intelligence Center. California law (Health and Safety code, 11379) makes it a felony to sell or transport methamphetamine for the purpose of selling it. According to Lincoln Police, prices for methamphetamine have been about $20 a gram. Experts estimate that an average dose has been .2 grams, which stays in a person's nervous system for up to eight hours. "The majority of individuals arrested for drug possession are users," Lincoln Police Lt. Matt Alves said. "However, we're seeing an increase of sales arrests." The second most popular illegal drug that local police have been finding during arrests is heroin and its price has been almost eight times higher than methamphetamine. "I have talked to plenty of people who have said they spend $150-plus a day for heroin," said Lincoln Police Officer Brian Rogers. Most individuals who have been arrested for drug violations have not been Lincoln residents. Recent records show that visitors to the area comprise two-thirds of the arrests and one-third have been Lincoln residents. For example, on Nov. 9, police arrested 23-year old Dustin Lee of Antelope in a Groveland Lane shopping center parking lot in Lincoln. Arrest records state that Lee had an active felony warrant and, inside his vehicle, police found methamphetamine, heroin, drug paraphernalia, lock-picking devices and debit cards of others. Lee was booked at the Placer County Jail and was ineligible for bail. On Oct. 25 and 26, three individuals were arrested for methamphetamine possession at the 900 block of Twelve Bridges Drive in Lincoln. In the first case, 24-year old Randolph Deshazo of North Highlands and 30-year old Shelton Gillespie of Placerville were stopped by police and found to be in possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia as well as counterfeit $100 bills and metal knuckles. Desbazo and Gillespie had outstanding arrest warrants from Placer, Yuba and Sacramento counties for "meth" possession, identity theft and traffic violations, according to police, and they were booked at the South Placer Jail. On Oct. 26, 38-year old Daniel Vago from Jackson was arrested for possession of methamphetamine, heroin, drug paraphernalia and a prescription drug. He was released on citation. Why have some suspects been taken to jail while others have been let go with a citation that orders them to appear in court? "Nearly all misdemeanors are field released on a promise to appear (citation)," Lt. Alves explained. "Some exceptions are driving under the influence, under the influence of drugs/alcohol and unable to care for themselves, and misdemeanor domestic violence. The majority of the time, felonies are booked." According to the U.S. National Drug Intelligence Center, a major location for the production and distribution of the drug have been counties south and east of the San Francisco Bay. The 10 San Francisco Bay area counties that fall into the high-intensity drug trafficking area are San Francisco, Alameda, Contra Costa, Lake, Marin, Monterey, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz and Sonoma. Because of the area's proximity to international transportation locations such as airports, ports and highways, the intelligence center gave the San Francisco Bay Area the drug intensity designation. The center noted that in addition to being an international distribution center, the area has reported high abuse of illicit drugs from Mexico and some Asian drug-trafficking cartels. According to the U.S. National Drug Intelligence Center, "A multifaceted transportation infrastructure links the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area region directly to Mexico and Canada—major illicit drug production and source areas—as well as to methamphetamine production areas in central and southern California and marijuana production areas in central and Northern California." The federal government has listed Highways 80 and 101 as major roadways used by drug producers, traffickers, buyers and users across the United States and between the U.S., Mexico and Canada. With drug arrests increasing across the state and country, advocates to decriminalize possession have found some success in their efforts. They say that it's time to end criminal penalties for a small amount of drug possession because the punishment unfairly sends individuals to prison or jail and gives them lifetime criminal records, which hurts job-seeking and housing searches. On Nov. 3, Oregon became the first state to decriminalize the possession of small amounts of drugs such as methamphetamine, heroin and cocaine. Instead of going to trial and facing possible jail time, Oregonians arrested for the possession of small amounts of illegal drugs will be accused of a violation and no longer receive a misdemeanor or felony. If convicted, they could either attend an addiction recovery program and get a health assessment or pay a $100 fine. The measure had been endorsed by several physicians and nursing groups, the Oregon Democratic Party and the Drug Policy Alliance, which for years has lobbied for the change. "More than a million people are arrested each year in the U.S. for drug possession," the alliance has estimated, "but this has done nothing to reduce the purity or availability of drugs or the harm they cause." According to salon.com regarding the recently passed legislation, "Under Measure 110, the state is expected to generate savings from fewer drug arrests, prosecutions and incarcerations, which will be invested in a new state fund for drug use disorder treatment, health assessments, harm reduction, and other services." Treatment services are also expected to be supported by more than $45 million in annual tax revenue from the legal sale of marijuana. Those opposed to states legalizing drugs prohibited by national and international laws say it will lead to more people using drugs. "The legalization or decriminalization of drugs would make harmful, psychoactive, and addictive substances affordable, available, convenient and marketable," Drug Watch International, a volunteer nonprofit organization said. "It would remove the social stigma attached to illicit drug use and would send a message of tolerance for drug use, especially to youth." Judie Fertig Panneton wrote "Proud Americans: Growing Up As Children of Immigrants" and is a Lincoln resident.