Marshall County Alabama is an area of exceptional beauty. The Tennessee River creates Lake Guntersville in the northern part of this 567 square mile county in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountain chain. Although there are several small cities (Guntersville, Boaz, Arab and Albertville), Marshall County is largely a rural area without great economic resources. The population of the county is approximately 82,000 with a workforce of 38,900, primarily involved in manufacturing and agriculture (US Census 2000). The median family income is $32,000.00.

Thus Marshall County is clearly a rural area, with the advantages and disadvantages of rural life. Like much of rural America over the past decade, Marshall County faces the social and economic problems associated with increasing substance abuse, specifically with methamphetamine. Over the past five years Marshall County has experienced a rise in addiction related crimes and related social problems such as child abuse and neglect, spousal abuse and divorce; which have reached epidemic proportions. Marshall County law enforcement agencies report a 25% increase in drug related burglaries over the past two years.

To the extent that law enforcement statistics are a measure, it is clear that methamphetamine has emerged in recent years as the number one drug problem in Marshall County. The statistics from the year 2000 through September 2004 reflect: