Pubdate: Fri, 22 Feb 2002 Source: Carthage Press, The (MO) Copyright: 2002 The Carthage Press Contact: http://www.carthagepress.com Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1731 Author: Paul Sloca, Associated Press Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine) SEN. BOND URGES STATE TO SUPPORT ANTI-METH PROGRAM Jefferson City, Mo. -- U.S. Sen. Kit Bond on Wednesday asked a Senate panel to support a bill that would put the administration of a federal anti-methamphetamine program under state control. Two years ago, Bond, R-Mo., created the Missouri Sheriff's Methamphetamine Relief Team, which uses federal funding for local law enforcement efforts to fight the production and distribution of the highly addictive drug. Bond said that while he has been able to secure federal funding for the program over the last few years, he said that stream of money may soon dry up as other states jockey for it. ""I'm not sure how long I will be successful," Bond told the Senate Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence Committee. ""I believe it is essential that the state move in." Since the establishment of the program, law enforcement has received $5.6 million for 33 local sheriff's offices and 16 multi-county task forces. ""The program allows those on the front lines to assess the needs of their colleagues and provide the assistance they need at a critical time," Bond said. Bond said there has been obvious successes with the program. In 2000, 906 methamphetamine arrests were made while last year that number jumped to 2,239. Under a bill sponsored by Sen. John Cauthorn, R-Mexico, the program would be sponsored by the state Department of Public Safety, which would allow state funding. ""We'd like to address some of the issues in the rural communities," Cauthorn told the committee, which did not vote on the bill. Methamphetamine is made with over-the-counter medications and a variety of chemicals, including anhydrous ammonia, ether and rat poison. - --- MAP posted-by: Alex