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About Illinois Valley news. (Cave City, Oregon) 1937-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 10, 2003)
Illinois Valley News, Cave Junction, OR Wednesday, December 10, 2003 Page 9 Kulongoski cracks down IVHS spreads musical cheer with free concert A free, public program season, will be on the pro- ages audience participa- year to be honored with a on statewide meth abuse By Medford Mail Tribune and Wire Services Gov. Ted Kulongoski has announced establish- ment of a new task force that will tackle metham- phetamine abuse statewide, which he called one of Oregon’s biggest crime problems. “Methamphetamine is estimated to be the driving force in 80 to 90 percent of property crimes committed in Oregon,” Kulongoski said in a speech last before the Citizens Crime Com- mission in Portland. With new, cheaper and purer forms of the drug coming on the market, “it is anticipated that use of this drug will increase sharply.” Last year, arrests linked to meth made up 78 percent of total drug ar- rests by Jackson County’s Narcotics Enforcement Team. Nearly 87 percent of the agency’s overall drug arrests were connected to meth in 2001. Most sus- pects are apprehended in Medford, officials said. The task force will include law enforcement, treatment specialists, the pharmaceutical industry and others who can craft a plan by early next year. Although meth long has been recognized as one of the state’s main drug concerns, this is the first time a governor has sin- gled it out for attention. Craig Campbell, Ku- longoski’s public safety adviser, said the plan is to go after the drug at all lev- els, from monitoring the everyday chemicals used to make it to treatment pro- grams for users who be- come addicted. He said the task force will have approximately 20 members and will first meet in late January. The hoped-for result is a plan of action the governor can implement or take to the Legislature. Campbell said Kulon- goski is most nervous about the emergence of a crystallized form of meth, known sometimes as “ice,” that is cheaper, stronger and more addictive than other forms. “It’s cheap,” Campbell said. “It produces a high the first time. It’s one of those drugs that, once you use it, that’s it.” The task force will look at precursor chemi- cals used to make the drug, which can be found in common products such as Sudafed, an over-the- New sidewalks coming soon to downtown Work to replace city sidewalks damaged by tree roots will begin this week, and the job is to be fin- ished by year’s end. City Recorder Jim Polk made the announce- ment about the work dur- ing the Cave Junction City Council meeting in city hall on Monday night, Dec. 8. The job is to be done by Reed Construction of Eagle Point. It will involve sidewalks and tree grates, with new trees to be planted next year. The city had a number of trees re- moved this year because roots damaged sidewalks. HAPPY HOLIDAYS! counter allergy pill, he said. The governor hopes to find a way to track how such chemicals come into Oregon and how they’re acquired, Campbell said. Kulongoski also wants to study how the drug is sold on the streets and in schools, and how treatment programs can become more effective. of current and traditional holiday compositions will be presented on Wednes- day, Dec. 17 by Illinois Valley High School (IVHS) music students. Led by T. Lund, the vocal and instrumental concert will begin at 7 p.m. in the IVHS cafetorium. Lund, director of music, is one of only five music teachers nationwide this Mr. Holland’s Opus Award during a presenta- tion in Carnegie Hall with actor Richard Dreyfuss, who played Mr. Holland in the film about him, making the presentation. The performance will feature the IVHS Swing Choir, Concert Choir, and Concert Band. Various holiday melodies, plus a couple of spirituals for the gram. “There’ll be traditional winter music, much of it upbeat,” said Lund. There also will be a Sousa march and the well-known “Brahms’ Lullaby,” he said, plus a Christmas march, and excerpts from the music of “Star Wars.” In addition, said Lund, the popular “Up on the Housetop,” which encour- tion, will be presented. “We’re going to have fun, and are looking for- ward to this performance for the community,” said Lund. Holiday Concert Wednesday, Dec. 17 IVHS cafetorium 7 p.m.