Media Advisory
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 6, 2005

Phoenix DO SAC Timothy J. Landrum Speaks Before The National Foundation for Women Legislators

(L to R): Joy Westrum, President of Second Chance Program; Phyllis Katsakiores, Representative from New Hampshire; Catherine Harnett, Chief of Demand Reduction Programs; SA Tom Marble; and Special Agent in Charge Timothy J. Landrum.
(L to R): Joy Westrum, President of Second Chance Program; Phyllis Katsakiores, Representative from New Hampshire; Catherine Harnett, Chief of Demand Reduction Programs; SA Tom Marble; and Special Agent in Charge Timothy J. Landrum.

OCT 6--On September 10, 2005, Phoenix Division Special Agent in Charge (SAC) Timothy J. Landrum along with Catherine Harnett, Chief of Demand Reduction Programs spoke before the National Foundation for Women Legislators (NFWL) during their annual conference at the Ritz-Carlton in Phoenix, Arizona.

SAC Landrum spoke on “Stopping the Production and Proliferation of Methamphetamine Labs” that highlighted the results of DEA’s nationwide methamphetamine sweep, “Operation Wildfire”; DEA’s proactive strategy to combat Mexican-produced methamphetamine, DEA’s combined efforts to eliminate the spread of small toxic labs and the Division’s localized efforts. Topics also included enforcement challenges that arise along the border, international and local cooperation, and education and prevention.

The presentation included a mock meth lab where SA Tom Marble explained the chemicals involved and the dangers posed by mixing the hazardous chemicals. SA Marble also explained the indicators of a meth lab and the environmental impacts of methamphetamine as well as the clean-up costs involved. Many in the audience were shocked at how easy anyone can get the chemicals and instructions to make methamphetamine. Poster boards depicted meth environments and clan lab explosions. The presentation was an eye-opening event for many legislators and private sector representatives in the audience.

Ms. Harnett spoke on DEA’s newly launched website, Justthinktwice.com, the anti-drug website that give teens and their parents the straight facts about methamphetamine. Ms. Harnett explained the six sections of the website and described how it can help teens make good choices and raise public awareness about the dangers of drugs.

The presentations were very powerful, engaging and extremely informative, contributing to the success of the conference. Many legislators would be taking a lot of the information back to their states.