Fighting Yolo County’s Growing
Methamphetamine Problem
By Dave Rosenberg Yolo County Supervisor, 4th District
Crank. Speed. Meth. By whatever name it’s called, methamphetamine continues as
the illegal "drug of choice" in Yolo County, and in much of California. So says
the 1998 annual report of the Yolo Narcotic Enforcement Team ("YONET"). To put
it in perspective, of YONET’s 461 arrests in 1998, meth was the primary drug
in 239 arrests, or 52% of the cases, up from 41% in 1997. Enough meth was seized
by YONET to keep every person in Yolo County under the influence for six hours,
a frightening and remarkable statistic.
Meth is available on the streets of Yolo County and is prevalent. Each year,
because of meth’s increased availability, the price to purchase meth goes down.
Ingredients to make meth are generally available, and "recipes" for the production
of the illegal substance can be found on the internet.
City and county officials are fighting hard against this illicit drug traffic.
Leading the charge is YONET, now in its 19th year. YONET is composed of sworn
officers, support staff and funds provided by the Davis, Woodland, Winters and
West Sacramento Police Departments, the Yolo County Sheriff and District Attorney,
the UCD Police Department and the State of California’s Department of Justice/Bureau
of Narcotic Enforcement. The mission of YONET is to investigate, root out, and
diminish the availability and use of illegal drugs in this county. YONET investigates,
often under-cover, or through informants, conducts searches and seizures, and
makes arrests in the war against drugs.
In 1998 alone, YONET seized three clandestine meth labs in Yolo County.
That’s not to say that other illicit drugs have gone away. Far from it. According
to YONET’s annual report, while powdered cocaine is common in Southern California,
the Northern California market, including Yolo County, is still very much focused
on cocaine base, known as "rock" or "crack" cocaine. And marijuana continues
to be a prominent drug in Yolo County, particularly in Davis. Heroin is still
in use in this county, although YONET reports a dramatic drop in this hard drug’s
prevalence.
In total YONET arrests for 1998, meth was the primary drug in 239, heroin in
80, marijuana in 56, cocaine in 50, other drugs and non-drug arrests were 26.
The street value of seized meth was $1,804,400 ($80 per gram), $891,195 for cocaine
($95 per gram), bulk marijuana at $332,790 ($30 per gram), marijuana plants at
$12,216,000 ($3,000 per plant), and $19,600 for heroin ($80 per gram).
Often forgotten in the searches, seizures, and arrests in the drug war are the
children of narcotic law violators. These children are innocent victims of drug
abuse. In Yolo County, fortunately, YONET works closely with Child Protective
Services (CPS) to accommodate these innocents. During 1998 alone, 66 children
were immediately removed from homes where drugs were being sold or used. Joint
training and collaboration between YONET and CPS will continue.
Being vigilant in the war on drugs is not just for the police and sheriff. It’s
something about which all of us should be concerned. If you are aware of a crime
in progress, please call 911. If you have information about possible illegal
drug use, manufacture or sale, you can contact the Yolo County Sheriff’s Office
at 668-5280, the Davis Police Department at 756-3740, or the Woodland Police
Department at 666-2411.