Pubdate: Sat, 29 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/

NOT IN KANSAS ANYMORE

If federal dollars for meth lab cleanups skirt Kansas, as is the plan, our 
problem could only get worse.

You may have noticed that the newspaper often follows a politician's name 
with "R-Topeka," or "D-Wichita." That's to indicate which party the 
politico represents.

You might have noticed, too, that there is no such party delineation 
provided for those arrested for having a methamphetamines lab, or for the 
neighbors who have to put up with the smelly, explosive contraption. That's 
because the illegal drug labs have nothing to do with politics.

Or, at least, they shouldn't.

Sadly, they evidently do. Although Kansas ranks third in the nation in meth 
labs, the state was left completely off a list of 14 states eligible for 
federal funds to clean up seized meth labs.

That's outlandish.

It appears to be purely politics, which is even more outrageous. If there 
were some evidence that other states were doing a better job policing meth 
labs, or some other reason that Kansas was found to be unworthy of federal 
funding, that would be one thing. But it appears mere lack of congressional 
clout is leaving Kansas law enforcement agencies out of the loop.

"Eleven of the 14 states that received money have members on the Senate 
Appropriations Committee," says Erik Hotmire, an aide to Kansas Sen. Sam 
Brownback.

So, Kansas apparently will get none of the $35 million earmarked for meth 
lab cleanups.

What a shame. Perhaps because of the availability of places to hide here, 
methamphetamines manufacturers have flocked to Kansas. The Kansas Bureau of 
Investigation seized 511 labs in 1999, and may double that this year. 
Shawnee County officials have been busy closing the labs down, too.

Banging down the door and handcuffing suspects is only the beginning, too. 
Because of the toxic chemicals that result from "cooking" methamphetamines 
- -- and the fact that most meth labs don't exactly follow OSHA regulations 
to the letter -- it can take $5,000 to clean them up.

That's why the federal funding matter is so vital.

Generally, and to his great credit, Sen. Brownback eschews vying for what 
he considers pork. But this is not pork. This is the leading law 
enforcement problem in the country right now, and despite shouldering more 
than its share of the burden, Kansas is being ignored when it comes to 
finding and funding solutions.

Thankfully, Brownback has pledged to see what he can do to reverse the 
funding gap.

If he's unsuccessful, and enforcement money pours all around and not into 
Kansas, our problem is only going to get worse.
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D