Pubdate: Sun, 21 Sep 2003 Source: Seattle Post-Intelligencer (WA) Copyright: 2003 Seattle Post-Intelligencer Contact: http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/408 CAUTIOUS PROGRESS LIMITING METH USE Amid the array of drug threats facing communities, methamphetamine stands out for the broad reach of its pernicious effects. The drug can wreck not just users' lives, but also pose serious threats to the health of their kids, police officers and even the environment. And it's epidemic -- the drug is found everywhere, in rural, suburban and urban settings. After spreading from the West Coast, the stimulant has crossed the Mississippi River and reached the East Coast. Even as the cheap, easily produced drug spreads nationally, this state may be making modest progress. Priscilla Lisicich, chairwoman of the Governor's Council on Substance Abuse, said that meth production in the state has trended downward for more than a year, including a 15 percent drop during the first part of this year. After the state's third meth summit, held in Vancouver last week, Lisicich came away feeling, "We are making progress, but let's be cautious." As leaders in much of the state realized in the late '90s, combating meth requires a wide-ranging holistic approach. Over the past five years or so, most counties -- including Pierce, King and Snohomish -- have mobilized community support along with state efforts. Law enforcement, treatment and community education must all play central roles. The state ecology and health departments have helped deal with the poisonous residue of meth labs and dumping sites, often in what should be pristine parts of the countryside. Retailers of numerous ingredients -- fertilizers, over-the-counter drugs and batteries, among others -- have learned to be alert to suspicious purchases. Even while strapped for money, the state must continue its efforts to help communities combat meth. Fortunately, Congress has also provided significant help, in part because all of the state's representatives are members of a bipartisan caucus on the issue. U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen, a Lake Stevens Democrat and co-chairman of the caucus, said the House versions of pending appropriations measures would provide additional support to the state. U.S. Rep. Brian Baird, D-Olympia, has introduced a bill to help law enforcement agencies across the country train and equip for the dangerous contaminants they find at lab sites, which can be homes, apartments or hotel rooms anywhere. Roger Lake, president of the Washington State Narcotics Investigators Association, said there are no social or economic borders to meth abuse. Frequently, the parents of young children are involved. Among other consequences, the parents can lose jobs and the custody of their children. Experts say that the use of special drug courts in some counties has helped ensure that many addicts work at rehabilitating themselves. The courts hold up a stick along with the carrot of recovery. Meth is, as Lisicich, Lake and other leaders across the state know, a problem that demands holistic solutions. And patience, persistence and awareness. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth