Pubdate: Wed, 11 Feb 2004
Source: Springfield News-Leader (MO)
Copyright: 2004 The Springfield News-Leader
Contact:  http://www.springfieldnews-leader.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1129
Author: Clinton "Butter" Reeves
Note: Clinton "Butter" Reeves is sheriff of Shannon County. This letter was
also signed by 62 other Missouri sheriffs.
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

HOLDEN, FOLLOW BOND'S LEAD IN METH FIGHT

Governor should hear facts about drug problem. The recent articles in
Missouri newspapers concerning Gov. Bob Holden's recently announced
methamphetamine initiative have many Missouri law enforcement
officials puzzled as to where the governor has been the last few years
when sheriff departments and regional drug task forces were on the
front lines battling this horrific problem plaguing our state.

We've come a long way the last few years battling meth, but we still
have a long way to go.

Sad to say, Missouri has been the No. 1 state in the nation in
methamphetamine arrests the last couple of years, primarily because we
have had badly needed resources to put officers in the field through
the Missouri Sheriffs Methamphetamine Relief Task Force (MOSMART), a
bipartisan panel of Missouri sheriffs who make grants to law
enforcement statewide.

MOSMART was made possible solely because of the efforts of our senior
U.S. senator, Christopher Bond.

In 2000, Sen. Bond acquired the first phase of federal funds and since
that time has continued to meet with local law enforcement officials
to discuss MOSMART's progress. Since MOSMART's inception, Sen. Bond
has continued to provide federal funding to aid sheriff departments
and task forces throughout Missouri each fiscal year.

Gov. Holden would be well served to take a little time to sit down
with local enforcement like Sen. Bond, Democrat and Republican, to get
the real facts about the methamphetamine problem in Missouri.

He might also think about working with local law enforcement agencies
to enact a crime-reduction fund to allow poor counties more resources
to hire officers.

Law enforcement throughout Missouri hopes the governor's recent
interest in addressing the serious meth problem isn't just more
campaign-year rhetoric out of Jefferson City. MOSMART has been a real
boost to us because of Sen. Bond's efforts in Washington and the
bipartisan statewide coalition developed to fight methamphetamine.
Maybe it's time Jefferson City sought the same.

Clinton "Butter" Reeves is sheriff of Shannon County. This letter was
also signed by 62 other Missouri sheriffs.
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin