I dunno, copper thefts have been on the rise for at least 5 years now. No, its not as expensive as gold or silver, but copper is very, very common and prevelant in so many uses...its everywhere. I'd like to think that all theft was related to people just trying to get by during tough times, but I doubt it. Its a quick buck and a quick fix. The common usage of copper around construction sites and around the home makes for a convenient 'grab and go' scenario that appeals to substance abusers who are addicted to everything but work.

I think drug abuse is off the charts these days. I can't walk into a drug store and buy Benedryl off the shelf, I have to ask for it, and I can only buy so much...they have to keep it behind the shelves to keep people (mainly kids) from shop lifting it. Seems that ODing on it can get you high, or so I'm told.