Three men are accused of conspiring to sell meth in our community.

In an indictment filed in federal court Wednesday, James Kurt Hollingshead, Mike Klavetter, and Jason Brinson of conspiring to sell more than one pound of meth between June of 2005 and September of 2008. The men are listed as fugitives and no court dates have been set.

Statistics show that meth use continues to decline in Sioux Falls, but Officer Sam Clemens says it's still a major problem.

"It's a big problem. Meth is a huge problem," said Stephanie Wicks of Sioux Falls and she should know. She was addicted to meth for nearly ten years. "And all it took was one time."

She regrets losing her kids, not getting to see them grow up, and losing all contact with her parents. Her life was a mess, but she says she just couldn't get clean.

Then, she spent three months in jail where using meth wasn't an option. Wicks says breaking free from the drug was the most difficult thing she's ever done. She said, "It feels like a huge roller coaster ride. It's almost like going without food for three days."

It's now been six and a half years since Wicks used meth. In fact, she says she doesn't drink, she doesn't do pot. Except for tobacco, she's free of addiction and at Keystone Treatment Center in Sioux Falls, she counsels others trying to overcome substance abuse.

As of late, area meth usage has been declining. According to Sioux Falls Police Officer Sam Clemens, police have encountered fewer labs every year. There were just five labs busted in 2007, when data is last available. Compare that to years past:

• 2004 -- 11
• 2005 -- 10
• 2006 -- 6
• 2007 -- 5

See complete crime statistics from the SFPD here.

The Drug Enforcement Administration or DEA tracks meth use, as well. Public affairs officer Barbara Wetherell reports a decline in meth usage across South Dakota, Minnesota, and Iowa. Here's a look at how many meth labs federal agents seized in years 2004-2007:

• 2004 -- 31 in South Dakota; 168 in Minnesota; 1,335 in Iowa
• 2005 -- 16 in South Dakota; 88 in Minnesota; 761 in Iowa
• 2006 -- 11 in South Dakota; 33 in Minnesota; 318 in Iowa
• 2007 -- 7 in South Dakota; 27 in Minnesota; 169 in Iowa

View detailed maps of meth lab seizures by the DEA here.

Note the disparity in meth production in Iowa, as compared to South Dakota and Minnesota. According to the DEA website, "Hispanic trafficking organizations import large quantities of methamphetamine into Iowa, primarily via motor vehicles and mail delivery services."

Wetherell says it's possible that the Interstate System makes it easier to get meth into Iowa, but stopped just short of saying that's the only reason. Differences in population numbers, socioeconomic backgrounds, passage of anti-meth legislation, and how local law enforcement perceive the problem are all contributing factors. 

While the numbers continue to decline, the SFPD and the DEA say meth is still taking a toll on the Sioux Empire. That's why as Wicks continues to counsel those addicted to the drug, she's hoping people will learn the lessons she did the hard way. She said, "Meth. I mean it takes everything. I think it takes your soul and it's really hard to get it back."

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