Indiana city fed up with meth problem

KENDALLVILLE, Ind. (WANE) - Kendallville residents met with police and city officials in a town hall meeting, Tuesday, to talk about youth and drugs. Police chief Rob Wiley and Mayor Suzanne Handshoe led the meeting. It was aimed at getting the public's input on how to fight the city's meth problem.

"In reality, it's the public's issue," said Wiley. "The public not only has the right to be involved, they really have an obligation."

In 2008, police busted 39 meth labs within city limits; a total of 80 in Noble County. Kendallville resident Bobbie Crager's husband is a part of that statistic. He was arrested for operating an active meth lab. Crager, 38, has also been busted for drugs and knows all too well what they can do.

"Drugs destroy families, (it) destroys children," said Crager. "My children were taken away from me for four months."

Although she is getting help, Crager attended Tuesday's meeting, because she still sees how drugs can affect families.

"I have six children and my oldest one is 16. I just don't want them to go down the path that I did."

One by one, the public threw out ideas. From mentoring to tutoring kids, to building skate parks and offering more after school activities. The point: reach the kids while they still can.

"Kids are interested in having something to do," Wiley said. "They're interested in adults paying attention to them."

Next up, Wiley will meet with local churches and agencies to begin implementing some of the public's ideas.