Pubdate: Mon, 24 Apr 2000 Source: Topeka Capital-Journal (KS) Copyright: 2000 The Topeka Capital-Journal Contact: 616 S.E. Jefferson, Topeka, Kansas 66607 Website: http://cjonline.com/ Author: Kevin Bates KANSAS LEFT OUT OF FUNDING LOOP FOR METH CLEANUP Kansas in recent years routinely has ranked in the upper echelon of states with the largest number of clandestine methamphetamine laboratories under investigation, law enforcement authorities agree. But if the federal government has its way -- and it has so far -- Kansas will receive no federal funding to assist local law enforcement agencies in cleaning up the hundreds of labs they will discover. "In an environment where Kansas has really targeted meth lab production, it's really an unfortunate turn of events," said Don Brown, Gov. Bill Graves' spokesman. "We're obviously limited at a state level, so the governor's idea was to ask for some help." Brown referred to a letter sent this month to Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kan., in which Graves disagreed with a portion of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2000. The act earmarked more than $35 million for states and regions to fight meth labs, but Kansas was left out. Graves pointed out in his letter that Kansas ranks third among states in number of meth labs, behind only California and Missouri. "Government has already made a commitment to the citizens of Kansas in this area," Brown said. "We don't want to have to turn around and hang the responsibility on them. If we as a society are paying for these costs, why doesn't Kansas get its fair share?" The Drug Enforcement Agency last year spent an estimated $1.2 million in Kansas for the removal and disposal of meth labs, which Attorney General Carla Stovall in May 1999 said was Kansas' "No. 1 concern." Without federal help, Kansas will have to shoulder the entire cleanup expense, and Graves estimated the explosion of meth seizures would cost the state about $2 million this year. The Shawnee County Sheriff's Department and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation already have seen the increase. From Jan. 1 to April 15, Shawnee County sheriff's narcotics agents seized 15 labs -- more than double the number seized during the same period last year. KBI agents have assisted in the cleanup of those labs and 228 across the state. Last year saw a skyrocketing number of meth labs in Kansas. KBI statistics show the agency seized 511 labs in 1999, and special agent Sondra Gonzalez said projections estimate the KBI will seize more than 1,000 labs this year. "Summertime's just around the corner," Gonzalez said, "and that's when they're going to be out in full force." The money issue has led local authorities to ponder how law enforcement will dispose of meth labs in the future. A collection of about a dozen city and state officials last week began discussions that should decide whether a Shawnee County agency will take over where the DEA left off. The Household Hazardous Waste program, a division of the Shawnee County Recycling department, is determining whether contracts it has with the state and with owners of a private landfill will permit it to dispose of hazardous chemicals commonly used in methamphetamine production. "I think it's doable, but we still need to work out all the details," said Kim Nettleton, county recycling director. "We probably will have to charge for it, but it won't be anywhere near what they're paying right now. It'll be pennies on the dollar." Exact figures for the cost of a meth lab cleanup were unavailable, but sheriff's Capt. Rick Hladky said an average lab could cost as much as $5,000 to dispose of properly. "Just a small lab with a few Mason jars could cost quite a bit," Hladky said. "But it's still expensive, whether you've got a cup or 10 gallons." Kansas isn't unprepared when it comes to funding some lab cleanup, however. Mike Heideman, spokesman for the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, said Graves and the 1999 Legislature set aside $787,583 with the passage of the Chemical Control Act. The money was designated for a statewide meth lab cleanup program to be used in fiscal year 2000, which ends June 30. "With the cutoff in federal funding, obviously it's going to be a challenge for us," Heideman said. "But we're committed to making sure that the problem is addressed." Nettleton said the HHW program, which isn't funded by tax dollars, is capable of disposing of the same types of materials often found when officers bust meth labs. Substances like ether, Coleman lantern fuel, red phosphorus, hydrochloric acid and anhydrous ammonia, while dangerous, can be properly disposed of, Nettleton said. "We still need to talk to county commissioners and evaluate our contractual obligations, but I do know that more and more HHWs are looking into it," Nettleton said. All agencies agree funding needs to be found. Otherwise, the pace of methamphetamine production will overtake efforts to shut them down. "We've been dealing with these forever, but now they're just so much more prevalent," Hladky said. "And it's only going to get worse. No matter how many you pick off, two or three will take their place." - --- MAP posted-by: Don Beck