Pubdate: Sat, 24 Jun 2000 Source: Tulsa World (OK) Copyright: 2000 World Publishing Co. Contact: P.O. Box 1770, Tulsa, OK 74102 Website: http://www.tulsaworld.com/ CHEMICAL WARFARE More Money Coming To Fight Meth Law enforcement is fighting a seemingly losing battle to control and clean up illegal methamphetamine laboratories. Oklahoma, which ranks third in the nation in the number of illicit meth labs, might soon be getting some economic aid to fight the good fight. An amendment approved by the U.S. Senate would provide another $40 million to help eliminate methamphetamine labs. How much will go to Oklahoma still isn't known but it could be sizable. Anything would help. Funding for the meth lab eradication has come up short recently in states such as Oklahoma. "Meth production is quick, mobile and inexpensive. I'm pleased the Senate approved my request for increased funding," Sen. Don Nickles, R-Okla., said. In April, the Clinton administration transferred $10 million from other accounts within the Department of Justice to help with such meth lab cleanups. Nickles attached his amendment to a major spending bill for foreign operations. The new money would go to the Justice Department and be funneled to the states under policies already in place. The money cannot come fast enough. Drug makers, in search of a quick buck, are creating a climate of chemical warfare. The casualties aren't restricted to the thousands of Oklahomans becoming addicted to a cheap, dangerous high. Other victims are all those many innocent bystanders put in harm's way by volatile, and sometimes deadly, fumes emitted during the manufacture of meth. The operators of these labs are not Nobel chemists who go in for much research and development in producing a good product. Most of these drug cookers go into their "kitchens," not knowing if they have a recipe for disaster or one that will make money. Not every dollar spent fighting the overall drug war is used wisely. That will not be the case with any money Oklahoma gets to battle its methamphetamine problem. - --- MAP posted-by: Allan Wilkinson