Joetta Adler was a part-time nurse at Logan County Memorial Hospital and worked for them on an as needed basis. On August 2, 2004 she gave a birth to a 4lb., 12oz. baby boy.

"The hospital notified social services about the baby. And the mother tested positive for methamphetamine," says Jim Devashur, of the Logan County Drug Task Force.

Social service notified the Logan county Sheriff's Department.

Devashur says, "Through this, the south central Kentucky drug task force became involved, assisting social services with the home visits. Following the home visits, of course, the child was removed from the mother."

Adler's older son was also removed from her custody. The following day Adler was arrested. Her estranged husband Rodney Adler says he can't believe it.

He says, "She's a professional. This doesn't seem like something she would do. It is completely out of character."

Logan Memorial Hospital tells WBKO Adler had not worked at the hospital in more than six months. She had been employed with Air Evac Lifeteam since 1999, and began her maternity leave on June 4th.

In a statement released to WBKO Air Evac says, "We were surprised to learn of the allegations against Adler. Air Evac Lifeteam does not condone any type of illegal drug use among it's employees. We had no reason to suspect Joetta may have been involved in any type of drug-related activity during the time she was actively employed with us."

Rodney Adler agreed saying, "She has dedicated her life to saving people. I don't know how she could be involved in something like this."

But officers say meth users do not fit a profile and that it is sometimes hard to tell just by looking at a person.

Devashur says, "All I know is methamphetamine is a plague to our society. And it's so addictive that the individual that's addicted to it, has to be taken out of the atmosphere where it's at."

Adler's boyfriend, 35-year-old Timothy Brooks, was also arrested. Brooks was charged with trafficking a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia.

wbko.com Extended Web Coverage

Fast Facts About Meth

• Methamphetamine use among high school seniors more than doubled between 1990 and 1996.

• Women are more likely to use meth than cocaine.

• The average meth "cook" annually teaches ten others how to make meth.

• Every pound of meth produced leaves behind five to six pounds of toxic waste.

• Seizures of clandestine meth labs in the Midwest increased tenfold from 1995 to 1997.

• Methamphetamine accounts for up to 90 percent of all drug cases in many Midwest communities.

• Methamphetamine kills by causing heart failure, brain damage and stroke.

• Methamphetamine-induced paranoia has led to numerous murders and suicides.

• Methamphetamine produces hallucinations.

• Meth users are the hardest to treat of all drug users.

• Meth lab site cleanups can cost up to $150,000.

• Methamphetamine is highly addictive.

• Meth use increases risk of child abuse and neglect and domestic violence.

Many people may be unaware that they're living near a meth lab. Here are some things to look for:

• Unusual, strong odors (like cat urine, ether, ammonia, acetone or other chemicals).
  
• Residences with windows blacked out.
  
• Renters who pay their landlords in cash. (Most drug dealers trade exclusively in cash.)
  
• Lots of traffic - people coming and going at unusual times.
  
• There may be little traffic during the day, but at night the activity increases dramatically.
  
• Excessive trash including large amounts of items such as: antifreeze containers, lantern fuel cans, red chemically stained coffee filters, drain cleaner and duct tape.
  
• Unusual amounts of clear glass containers being brought into the home.

Presence of the following items could indicate the existence of a meth lab:

• Alcohol
  
• Ether
  
• Benzene
  
• Toluene/Paint Thinner
  
• Freon
  
• Acetone
  
• Chloroform
  
• Camp Stove Fuel/Coleman Fuel
  
• Starting Fluid
  
• Anhydrous Ammonia
  "Heet"
  
• White Gasoline
  
• Phenyl-2-Propane
  
• Phenylacetone
  
• Phenylpropanolamine
  
• odine Crystals
  
• Red Phosphorous
  
• Black Iodine
  
• Lye (Red Devil Lye)
  
• Muriatic/Hydrochloric Acid
  
• Battery Acid/Sulfuric Acid
  
• Epsom Salts
  
• Batteries/Lithium
  
• Sodium Metal
  
• Wooden Matches
  
• Propane Cylinders
  
• Hot Plates
  
• Ephedrine (over-the-counter)
  
• Cold Tablets
  
• Bronchodialators
  
• Energy Boosters
  
• Rock Salt
  
• Diet Aids

Source: www.kci.org [Koch Crime Institute]