Pubdate: Tue, 19 Feb 2002
Source: Lawrence Journal-World (KS)
Copyright: 2002 The Lawrence Journal-World
Contact: http://www.ljworld.com/site/submit_letter
Website: http://www.ljworld.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1075
Author: Associated Press
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

DEA CHIEF HEARS KANSAS POLICE'S METH CONCERNS

Hutchinson - Like most law enforcement officers, Salina Police Chief James 
Hill is frustrated in his fight against those making and selling 
methamphetamine.

But on Monday, Hill could voice his feelings to Drug Enforcement 
Administration chief Asa Hutchinson and U.S. Rep. Jerry Moran.

"We're overwhelmed and overworked by drugs. There is no respite in sight 
for us on the local level," Hill said. "We're falling further and further 
behind. It's very frustrating."

He was among about 100 people, mainly police officials, at a meeting at the 
Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center where the 1st District congressman 
was host.

Moran said he and Hutchinson wanted to gather ideas from the officers about 
fighting drugs. Hill and others said more federal money to assist local 
departments would top the wish list.

"We haven't turned a corner as yet in Kansas," Hutchinson said. "We're not 
quite there in Kansas yet, but we can achieve success."

Moran said drug abuse isn't a problem just in major cities, but also is 
found in rural areas of Kansas.

"We need to make sure the policy-makers in Washington know it's a rural 
problem," Moran said. "The tremendous growth in manufacturing meth now 
threatens our way of life in Kansas."

The Kansas Bureau of Investigation said last week that a record 846 meth 
labs were seized in the state last year, half of them operational. There 
were 702 labs seized in 2000.

Moran said Kansas ranked fourth nationally in the number of meth labs seized.

Shawnee County topped the list with 90 seized labs, followed by Cowley 
County with 67 and Saline County, which includes Salina, with 62.

But that's just a small portion of the total meth picture.

Between 60 and 80 percent of all meth in Kansas comes from Mexico or 
California, said KBI Director Larry Welch.

He said seizing meth labs takes time away from investigating drugs coming 
into the state.

"We have to address what confronts us now," Welch said.

Law enforcement officers have voiced concern that some of the federal money 
to fight drugs will be cut because of the economy.

"As dire as our straits are on the meth front, we'd be in terrible shape 
without federal funds," Welch said.

Hill said about 10 percent of his 78 officers work full time to battle 
drugs. He noted his town is at the crossroads of two major routes - 
east-west Interstate 70 and north-south I-135.

"I could use triple the manpower. We're just hitting no more than the top 
of the iceberg," Hill told reporters after the meeting.

"To say it's an epidemic doesn't really describe it. Find me some money," 
Hill said.

Moran said the need for more federal money is a message he will carry back 
to the nation's capital.

"Fighting the fight in Washington can make a difference," he said.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Beth