Pubdate: Sat, 28 Jul 2001 Source: Topeka Capital-Journal (KS) Copyright: 2001 The Topeka Capital-Journal Contact: http://cjonline.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/455 Author: Keri Bradford Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine) METH BOOM SWAMPS ENFORCEMENT The Legislature needs to change drug laws to make it easier for prosecutors to fight the growing proliferation of methamphetamine in Kansas, according to a report from the Legislative Division of Post Audit. The difficulty lies in the number of the Kansas Bureau of Investigation's backlogged cases. The report, dated July 19, seems to blame, in part, the inability of KBI to analyze evidence from seizures and return information to prosecutors in a timely fashion. When this happens, cases are jeopardized and meth manufacturers and users are let off the hook. The real problem is that the number of meth lab seizures discovered each year outgrows the number of KBI staff available to analyze them, according to the report. In 1994, four meth lab seizures in Kansas were reported by law enforcement officials to KBI and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Six years later, that number leaped to 702. The post auditors expect that number to grow to 2,000 throughout Kansas this year. KBI Director Larry Welch said Thursday that the KBI constantly lobbies for federal grants and recently secured a $1.9 million grant. "We'll spend half of that on training and equipment for law enforcement officers and the other half bringing scientists and investigators on hand to help," he said. But that isn't enough to fight the meth problem. What the KBI needs is more analysts and a better equipped investigation lab. Welch said that if he was able to ask the Legislature for "anything other than just the bare minimum," it would be for the money to hire five additional analysts. This could cost more than $200,000. The KBI meth investigation team is made up of 14 analysts, and with part of the $1.9 million grant, Welch will hire five additional analysts. The average backlog time it takes the KBI to begin investigating a seizure is about four and a half months, according to the report. One of the recommendations from the post audit was that the KBI should develop a plan for expanding its lab capabilities and present it to the Legislature for consideration. The audit, Welch said, reports the same problems he has presented to the Legislature for several years. In a press conference Wednesday, Welch asked again for the Legislature's support. "We obviously have a serious problem," Sen. Lynn Jenkins, R-Topeka, said. "The legislators have a renewed interest in the problem we have with meth in Kansas. "With our budget being so tight, it will be about raising taxes to cover crime, and my hunch is that the Legislature still won't be willing to raise taxes." If taxpayers aren't aware of the problem, naturally, they won't be very supportive, Jenkins said. Kansas last year ranked second only to California in the number of meth lab seizures. Drug manufacturers and users cost taxpayers $16.5 million in salaries for law enforcement officers and prosecutors to handle the problem. Kansans also paid $1.7 million in incarcerations, $1.7 million cleaning up the lab sites and $1.1 million treating meth addicts, according to the report. Law enforcement officials reported 59 meth lab seizures in Shawnee County last year. Already this year, law enforcement agencies have reported more than 50 seizures in the county. The number of meth labs is increasing because they are becoming more portable and difficult to find, according to the post-audit report. Labs have been discovered everywhere from the trunks of cars to suitcases. "This is what we call the bathtub drug. You can make it anywhere with chemicals you probably already have in your home," Shawnee County sheriff's Sgt. Lance Royer said Tuesday. "Our largest problem has been meth for three years," Welch said. "It is our top priority to address it as quickly as we can." (SIDEBAR) Audio interview Laurel Murdie, senior auditor of the Legislative Post Audit Committee Progress being made with meth Kansas ranks No. 2 702 labs reported in Kansas Law enforcement making progress Increasing meth penalties Larry Welch, director of the Kansas Bureau of Investigation Getting most labs reported Hearing from local law enforcement Two motel rooms with meth Toddlers had severe burns from carpet - --- MAP posted-by: GD