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Greene County Daily World file photo
A BIG PROBLEM: Greene County Sheriff Terry Pierce says the medical problems associated with the methamphetamine abuse in the area is causing major problems with his budget each year. He hopes the Indiana General Assembly can help.
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It has been at epidemic levels during some of those years -- 2001-03 -- filling up the jail, clogging the court system and forcing police officers to work long hours investigating the high number of drug-related cases.
However, in the last three years, Greene County Sheriff Terry Pierce has witnesses a new and increasing costly trend that is the direct result of the earlier meth epidemic.
The chronic meth users are filtering back through the judicial system again and many of them are sick -- very ill with diseases that are destroying their bodies and their mental capacities.
The problem is severe and Pierce pointed out that once an inmate is booked into the jail, his medical expenses -- including those associated with pre-existing conditions -- become the county's responsibility and come out of the sheriff's jail budget.
As a result, medical costs for Greene County Jail inmates have skyrocketed since 2006 when the county doled out $56,000 from the jail's budget -- most going to inmates with a history using methamphetamine, according to the sheriff.
In 2007, the medical costs jumped to $63,000 and last year was very near $78,000.
This year, the Greene County Council appropriated $50,000 for medical costs from the jail's $925,000 budget and Pierce knows he's going to have to go back and ask for more money if the current trend continues.
So far, in the first 2 1/2 months of 2009, the jail has expended $21,280 for inmate medical costs -- that's more than $8,500 a month.
Unless things change, Pierce is looking at exceeding $102,000 before the end of the year -- but there is no way to budget it or even guess what the final number will be.
One bad case can wipe out an entire year's appropriation, Pierce pointed out.
Budgeting for these kind of expense is not really possible.
"It's very difficult. You can't budget it and you have no control and very little knowledge of what it's going to be until you get to the end of the year. You can average, but obviously things can change. Just one individual can change that. There is nothing you can do other than pray that it doesn't get any worse than it is."
Pierce said this is an alarming trend with no relief in sight.
"This is a new situation, which is not the epidemic but the effects of the epidemic," Pierce said. "It appears to me that the type of drug being used in the meth epidemic is obviously taking its toll on the human body faster than the drugs that we've seen in the past."
The jail is becoming a haven for these very sick meth users.
"There are medical problems and unfortunately these people are involved in the illegal activities to begin with. It's devastating what it (meth) can do to the internal organs and then they come back to jail and that's unfortunate," Pierce said.
The sheriff said the taxpayers are being hit hard with this problem, which he believes is a direct link to past meth use by the ill inmates.
"We feel it is very unfair to the taxpayers," he said. "We are dealing with the medical issues now more than we ever had in the past. That's why I believe they are connected. It's kind of common sense. You can look at some of these people. It's very obvious that they have medical issues and you can go to their records and there is a history (of meth use) here."
There is a definite physical price to pay for the abuser with this particular drug of choice.
"Twenty years ago the drugs of choice were mostly alcohol and marijuana, which takes longer to harm the body," noted Pierce.
Meth abuse affects the body very quickly and is not a long-term drug -- because many times the related medical problems are fatal to the user, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse.
Methamphetamine is a highly addictive stimulant drug that affects the central nervous system. It is a white, odorless, bitter-tasting crystalline powder that easily dissolves in water or alcohol and is taken orally, intranasally (snorting the powder), by needle injection, or by smoking.
Methamphetamine increases the release of very high levels of the brain chemical dopamine, which is involved in motivation, the experience of pleasure, and motor function.
Recent studies in chronic methamphetamine abusers have also revealed severe structural and functional changes in areas of the brain associated with emotion and memory, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse.
Long-term methamphetamine abuse can also lead to addiction -- a chronic, relapsing disease, characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use, and accompanied by chemical and molecular changes in the brain. Some of these changes persist long after methamphetamine abuse is stopped.
Experts say taking even small amounts of methamphetamine can result in increased wakefulness, increased physical activity, decreased appetite, increased respiration, rapid heart rate, irregular heartbeat, increased blood pressure, and hypothermia, according to information supplied by the National Institute on Drug Abuse.
Long-term methamphetamine abuse has many negative consequences, including extreme weight loss, severe dental problems, anxiety, confusion, insomnia, mood disturbances, and violent behavior. Chronic methamphetamine abusers can also display a number of psychotic features, including paranoia, visual and auditory hallucinations, and delusions.
Among abusers who inject the drug, HIV and other infectious diseases can be spread through contaminated needles, syringes, and other injection equipment that is used by more than one person.
Pierce says there is also no doubt that meth is still contributing to the high numbers in the daily jail population -- which traditionally has exceeded the 74-bed capacity of the facility.
From 2001 until 2003, it was not uncommon for the number of inmates fluctuate between 75 and 100.
On Tuesday, the jail census was 77 and the sheriff said it hasn't dropped below the capacity level very much in the last six months, but the trend is in the 70s.
"I think we've been pretty steady. We may have been at 74 a time or two," Pierce said. "I was very pleased and surprised to see us back in the 70s. It becomes pretty difficult to maintain when you have 90 people in a 74-bed facility."
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Personally I think that if these people are getting sick because of the meth then let them be sick. It is not the tax payers responsability to pay for their health. Espcially when allot of us who need healthcare and treatment can't afford it. They did this to themselves. Why should people who can't afford medical treatment that needs it go without and the jail birds get all they need. If these people had a brain in their head they wouldn't even do drugs. What is so great about staying awake for days on end, not eating not even being able to be in control of your self. It is stupid. And a pain for all us clean and drug free people having to deal with them. To the DOPE HEADS clean up your act and grow up, quit thinking about yourself and think about the future children of this world.
Sell the drug dealers assets - proceeds go to the County. Forfeit all property- sorry for the bad luck.
Sounds like to me that maybe the Sheriff and other local law enforcement, should spend a little less time on righting tickets and making speeches.
Start coming up with a more effective way to stop drug abuse and manufacturing all together.
Lets face it the population of Greene county is not that big.
As of the census of 2004, there were 33,157 people, 13,372 households, and 9,360 families residing in the county.
Compared to Marion County:
As of the census of 2004, there were 860,454 people, 352,164 households, and 213,411 families residing in the county.
Yet the crime rate in Greene County is 41.5% higher then in Marion County percapa.
Why is that?
I'd like to know more details about what the county jail is 'required' by law to provide. I seem to remember a whine from awhile ago from people crying that there was no hot water in the jail. Do we care? Sounded like cold showers were needed there recently. Seriously, is it REQUIRED to provide 'hot' water? How about just tepid? Room temp?
If jails are legally required to provide medical care/dental care, is there a way to cut back even further in other areas? Cheaper food? Less food? Seriously, are inmates provided anything to drink OTHER then water? If so , why?
Can they be put to work elsewhere in the community (via the old style 'chain gangs') to reduce costs in other areas to balance out the cost to taxpayers?
What was the name of the Sheriff in Arizona who housed his excess inmates in 'tent city' in the 105 degree desert? Sounds like a plan! I assume the jail is air conditioned in the summer months, but is that legally required?
Can taxpayers have a tour of the jail facilities? Are suggestions welcome or has every last stone been turned on where else possible cut backs could be found?
Aren't convicted drug related crimes automatically having their personal property seized, in the event at least for dealers? I thought there were some laws in place that any personal property could have been purchased with drug money and were therefore seized and auctioned off by the government?
I disagree. Addiction is an illness. It is our christian obligation to help the addicted get clean and sober. Yes, they made their bed and they are laying in it. But the problem will not get better by denying health care. It compounds their problems and guarentees they will relapse and end up back in the system.
I don't know if there is a protocol at the jail to help with addiction issues. But I know that at Carlisle, they have the C.L.I.F.F. unit, which specializes in educating the addicts, giving them new tools, and community supports once they get out. They are having successes that last beyond the prison stay.
Recidivism rates are phenomenol, but with treatment and education, it gives them a better chance.
What does drug treatment have to do with health care at the jail? Everything. For instance, say you have an inmate that would like to clean up, and is interested in classes, etc, but his teeth have all crumbled out of his mouth and he can't afford dentures. He will feel, "Why try to get clean? I will never get a decent job to support myself when I have no teeth. I'm sick all the time. The only thing I have is what I've done. Other addicts don't care what I look like as long as I can push the stuff. Employers care."
So you give them good healthcare and addiction education, community supports, etc. Then they have the self esteem and good health to have a fighting chance at changing their lives around.
They made mistakes. But we have to take the first step. They're used to being shut down by people who won't give them a chance. They expect it and they buy into the belief they aren't worthy of a second chance. But if we step up to the plate and make a Christian effort, SOME of them will succeed. There are success stories out there.
Believe me, I know.
So, please, please, get off the soapbox and reach out a helping hand. If you make that honest effort to those who want the help, you will never regret it.
Yes, it costs the community. Too much. But what value do you put on a human life? I can't put a number on life. I'm grateful for mine. I try to help others. I've gotten my hand bitten a few times, but I've been rewarded too. I can honestly say it's all been worth it when someone realizes for the first time that they actually went a whole day without obsessing about the drugs, and just enjoyed their day. To realize they have the skills to get through tough times without using.
But we, as a community, have to reach out to them.
(steps off soapbox),
Always,
Queenie
Queenie_2008, you have WAY too much faith in humanity. WAY too much faith.
Nine times out of ten these people relapse. People don't change.
this is a veary sad thing i think greenecounty should get drug programs here like bigger citys do cause i think for the most nobody cares about these people but there humans there not animals its sad when you watch your own kids go thru this mess you try to get them help and they throw the book at them thats no help in my book im srry these people need lots of help i dont think jail or prison helps these people i think for the most it makes people worse its so sad when you watch your kids mess there lives up you blame yourself anyways but then you got other people blaming you to and saying look at that bad parent only if she would of done this or that it dont matter wat we do we still get the blame my son got the book threw at him he wasnt all the blame for these mess it just upsets me that seems nobody cares really we need programs here in this county it mite save thousands of dollars lets get the people help that want it please
I could not agree with you more, rocker! Drug abusers are humans and not animals. There are reasons that drug abusers choose to do meth or etc.. Maybe they had some trauma as a child, or was verbally/physically abused at some point in their lives or hurting so bad inside and the only way to block all those bad memories, feelings, thoughts,guilt of some sort,or etc.. is to stay numb all the time by doing drugs. When your on meth you feel nothing. Your numb to everything and everyone. I'm not trying to say that drug abusers are victims but maybe they,themselves, were victims at one point in their life and their destructive behavior could stem back from their past. So with that said, I feel like a little jail time with some major rehabilitation to dig deep down inside that person and find out why they chose to go this route is fair.This should be done during and after the abusers incarceration. Sending them to prison for years or allowing them to sit in a county jail for 2yrs is only institutionalizing them and adding fuel to the fire! Greene County needs more rehabilitation services in and out of their facility. There is absolutely no programs in that jail for addicts! Here in Vigo County they offer a 6 week program for drug abusers along with Half-Way houses upon their release!Maybe Greene County could use some pointers from their surrounding counties cause their way of doing things for the past 10 yrs have gotten them nowhere except loss of $$ and taking the same old mug shots!! Take the time to try and help these people cause it's life and death for them but for you it's loss of a little $$! Just a thought.
Oh by the way, Queenie_2008, There needs to be more people like you in this world cause alot of these people on here doesn't even have a clue.
I feel like nobody on here should be passing judgement on addicts or anybody for that matter unless you have walked in their shoes.
And as for AMyers8289, I pray you have no children because obviously if they were to ever come to you with a problem, it would be "a pain for you to have to deal with". Your words,Not mine. Why don't you be more open minded and less judgemental cause like I said"Unless you've been there,don't pass judement".
Great post desireamda! I'm all for rehabilitation programs for those who desire it. I'm sure everyone has someone in their family or knows someone who has used drugs and fallen into this pattern of being thrown in jail again and again and offering them a solution seems to me the wise thing if it ends their drug use. We should be looking at successful programs other Counties are using and implement them here.
I agree with garry g, sell everything they own and pay back the town or county for expenses. These dopers think only of themselves. getting high, self gratification. Why should we worry about them, they chose their path not us.
if they are repeated offenders let them be sick!!!!!!!!!!and suffer!!!!!!!!
desireamda
As a matter of fact I do have a child. And if he came to me cause he was doing drugs yes I would help him. But that is different the people in jail are not my children. If thats is your concern then why don't there parents get them medical care. I just don't think it's fair they get all the medical care they need when there is people out there that don't do drugs who are dying because they can't afford their medicine.
Also half of the people I grew up with and hung out with are in jail because they started doing meth. I have seen in first hand. I know it is a bad drug. But they had a choice of doing it or not. They chose to do it. Also the people I know that did the drug came from decent families.
Also that is just my opinion. I think that IF the person wants help to quit they should get the help they need but allot of the time the people get out of jail and go right back to their old ways. Not always but allot of the time.
As a relative of a meth abuser who has been in and out of prison and programs, I have gone through a lot of phases in my thinking. I have grown up watching my family go through torment, agony, pain and suffering in so many ways over it, resulting in some of us being in worse shape than the addict.
I was all for rehabilitation and still am. But, when the person comes out and keeps going back to it, keeping the same old friends and doing the same old things, it is hard to have hope anymore. I have watched people lend the helping hand over and over again only to be harmed dreadfully in the process. People in the family have been harmed emotionally, physically and economically to the point where some of us can no longer handle it. Children suffer terribly, not knowing what each day might bring. And babies are born addicted to drugs or aborted because of the drugs. And still, we walked on eggshells so as not to upset the addict or put pressure on them, never wanting to give up on a loved one. We are not given the opportunity to confront them about the pain and suffering either.
And I don't understand rehab programs if the person is never brought to a place to make amends or to be able to handle a family member telling the addict of the great pain and harm. Not to put a guilt trip on the person but to be able to communicate in a way that they can finally recognize that the lifestyle causes pain to others. It is not all about the addict. Life is not all about their moods and desires and their selfishness. If we are going to have rehab, mending the family issues may need to be part of it. Stopping enabling behavior of family members might be a place to start but there seems to be no education for us. We are not permitted to be involved, as far as I can see, in the healing process. We just get the pain. And the addict insists on being babied. Handled with kid gloves. It is as if there is a sense of entitlement that others should foot the bill for them. And even then, when others do, and some get to go to the good treatment facilities, some of them get thrown out because of inappropriate behavior. They take everything and everyone for granted. They are "entitled" not only to the resources of others but to a free pass for causing so much pain and suffering around them.
Maybe we should reach out and maybe we should foot the bill, but when do they learn to make amends for the harm they have done? And even then how do you make amends to a baby who is born addicted and to those people who had to pay the astronomical cost of caring for them?
I grew up visiting my family member in the prisons. Out for awhile, then the old friends would show up and it was not long before the police showed up and hauled my family member away in handcuffs, yet again. Everyone knows that going back to the same friends leads to trouble. I used to think that they came around because these people, addicts, were the only ones who could show understanding and that the self esteem of the addict was so injured that it was the only group who would show respect and concern. But time after time, it was never the old friends who paid the costs of legal fees, commissary, prison visits, clothing and other needs. It was always the family. The old friends were off doing other things. If they showed up in a case, it was because the old friend was a snitch working off his or her charges and had to turn someone in and maybe testify.
I used to blame the police, the so called friends and snithces, anyone, just so I would not have to blame my family member. I have taken a long, hard look at the situation, first from they eyes of a child, and now from the eyes of an adult family member who has simply had enough pain. And I am aware that prison did not make the person better. What it did was give the family a little peace for awhile. We were not as afraid to go to sleep at night thinking the police would come or an overdose would occur or a fight would break out. And there were not as many financial hardships during the incarceration.
I have to admit that in a few situations, I have seen treatment work, really work, and people do well in life. And that is why I have not given up hope for some at least. But, there is nothing more painful than having gone through all of it so often and believing that this time it will be different and once again, see the return to the old friends and the lifestyle and there is nothing I can do or even feel like trying to do about it anymore. Just stay away and let whatever happens happen.
I was hooked on meth for 20 years, way longer than most and way earlier than most knew what it was. It is possible to overcome the addiction .. though it is hard, very hard. I have been clean for 8 years now .. but not a week goes by that at some point i still dont think about getting high. Meth is that powerful .. that after all this time by brain still wants and craves it.
But to say that those hooked on meth are hopeless is totally false .. it may be hard .. it may be painful, and it may take many attempts (it took me 4 times) to get clean. Family needs to be supportive .. but not pushy, but definatlvly not enable the further addiction. Remember this drug does massive damage to the body and to the mind .. these things have to be treated and overcame at the same time as the addiction or its just one more excuse that a addicted mind will use to use again.
Let's put the repeat addicts on an island or in a big wooded secure area and just let them live out their remaining days doing the drug and living life the way they are choosing to do so. Give them the materials to make the stuff and if they blow themselves up - - - problem solved. It would be cheaper for the county to furnish the materials than to have the repeated cost of caring for them. Also the family would know where they are and that their isnt anything elso that can be done for them so that the family can get on with their life in a productive way!!!
This is to desireamda- not all meth users are victims of something in the past. we know of 2 cases where the kids were raised right by one parent and the other parent along w/ other family members would tell them that a little bit of drugs wouldn't hurt anyone but in fact it hurt the whole family.
And to NattyNanny- we totally agree with you. you hit the nail right on the head. But isn't it funny how the family members that ry to help are always made out to be the "bad" people? we tried to get a family member help and out of the bad environment but were told to butt out.
To Leftthestate:
Yes, family members are told to butt out by various people including the addicted relative as well.
Just another financial burden on the WORKING people in Greene County. You stack that up with Disability and all the other handouts, the working man or woman has little left. I am tired of paying for others who don't need it. There are some, but come on. BS injuries and they work a side bussiness for cash? I've seen a lot of those. No respect or pride from some anymore. What is happening to America? Our Founding Fathers would be proud if they could see what we have done.
This is to leftthestate,
You should probably read my
post again cause I never once said it was the parents or how the parents treated them or whatever. I never said it was all about how they were raised cause let me tell you, I was raised by my mother and step-father and had never went without! I think my mom and step-dad did a wonderful jod taking care of me and my siblings and we had all we ever wanted. Everything we wanted as a matter of fact. Something had happened as a child and I had witnessed something horrible but my mistake was never telling my mom and dad what had happened. It ate and ate at me for years. The feelngs of guilt and sadness took a toll on me and my grades in school. So when I turned 18yrs old I tried meth,by my choice,and loved it cause all those bad feelings were temporarily gone. I got so deep into it that I went from snorting it to smoking it, shooting it and then manufacturing it. I was very sick and my family felt helpless. I was at the lowest of lows. I prayed everyday for help but was to dependent on it to quit. Or maybe too scared of facing reality and all thoses memories I carried deep within. I was finally intervened by the state police and Linton police. Thank God for them cause it was getting real close to a life and death situation. I went to jail for a long while,got out and fell back into it 6 months later. I then got caught doing the same thing in Clay County and it was them who gave me an alternative.: Prison or Rehab? I was scared to get sober but wanted and needed to for the sake of myself and family. I chose rehab! I was sent to Terre Haute half-way house and it was there that changed my whole life. I was never offered any kind of rehabilitaion in Greene County. It took getting in trouble in another county before I truly got the help. But I have had slip-ups and I will srtuggle with addiction for the rest of my life.
So in the end, You just never know what causes a person to turn to drugs. But just from my experience, Some of it was not wanting to feel, some of it was low-self esteem and just stepping out of reality for a while and staying numb to everything was a good feeling at the time.
So "leftthestate" I never said it was the parents! I said "MAYBE" some addicts have been victims in their past or are just unhappy with themselves period! But I guarantee I know and have heard stories from addicts all around the world and most of their behavior stems back from something tragic or etcc, that they experienced as a child. Very few done it just to be doing it. I never categorized myself as a victim but thinking about it today,Yes, I was a victim at that time and it's just a shame that I never opened up to my mom or dad about those events that took place. And believe me, Your talking to someone who knows more about the "crap" then some people on here.
And as for AMyers8289, If your child ever gets sick because of this addiction and trust me Karma is a "you know what" Then we all know how your going to handle the situation. Let the sick be sick ,,right? We will see if or when that time comes......... This is sad cause alot of you don't even have a clue!
Oh and by the way, Those inmates does not get medical treatment like that county is letting on.
Let me tell ya, If u have a bad tooth, suffer or get it pulled. That's how that is done! Oh, And why don't you have them explain why they allowed a girl to lay in bed for days on end getting sicker by the minute and not doing nothing! She was told she had "dope sores". But guess what it ended up being? MRSA!!!! Yes! I witnessed her in complete agony and feeling helpless at the same time cause they failed to take her to the DR. Boils all over her body and yet being totally ignored. This went on for 3 weeks! Finally they took her to Dr, and came back and they immediately had to put her in solitair and give her iv-antibiotics. Clean up that nasty jail,Theres a thought! Also, Those inmates pay for a bandade! The ones who doesnt have money and there are very few who goes without, ends up getting a trustee job and working it off!
Oh, and the nurse that works there, lol, How about hiring one who doesnt want to "feel up on all those female inmates" cause that's $$ lost in the future if there were ever a lawsuit. Some of those inmates catch on to that nurse and show him a butt cheek and BAM they have all their meds they need! The list goes on but I have spent way too much of my time on this subject cause there are so many areas that county jail needs to change. Too many to list.
Hey ladycaoch and Mer de noms,
I Know a great State Hospital that I think you should consider checking into cause sounds like your elevator does'nt completely go to the top! I'm sorry. But seriously, check into some help cause those comments are scarey and disturbing. You should really talk to somebody............lol....An Island? Bullets?
OMG! Are these people for real? Hey! Just remember though, Karma gets ya everytime and what comes around, always goes around........Good Luck
Desire:
How do you stay up all night?