"We're handling meth on two fronts now. Several years ago, it was limited. ... Three to four years ago, we saw a proliferation of labs, then Mexican meth began moving in. We're dealing in quantities of meth we've never seen before."
    -- Rich Daniels, agent in charge of the federal Drug Enforcement Administration office in Fayetteville
   

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"The goal is to create as many pairs of public eyes as we can. It's hard. We're trying to handle the increase in methamphetamine with the same amount of resources we've always had. We need the public's help."
    -- Tom Brewster, Benton County sheriff's deputy
   

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"At first it feels so good. You're skinny. You have confidence. You're Wonder Woman. You clean your house."
    -- Denise Cifers, former methamphetamine addict
   

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"We just see so many women using. When they first start, they lose weight, they feel good about that. But soon their decision-making process is purely on the pain and pleasure level. Everything else, even their kids, is secondary. They're just looking for that next high."
    -- Vince Morris, supervisor of the state Office of Adult Probation in Benton County
   

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"Manufacturing is so simple it's done in the back seats of cars, in pickup trucks, hotel rooms. ... Ten years ago it was truly a lab, where you had to have glassware and a tightly held formula. It took longer. Now with the proliferation of new techniques, it's frightening how addictive this drug is and the veritable ease with which it can be obtained."
    -- Bill Hardin, Arkansas' drug director
   

This article was published on Sunday, June 6, 1999