Pubdate: Thu, 07 Jul 2005 Source: Indianapolis Star (IN) Copyright: 2005 Indianapolis Newspapers Inc. Contact: http://www.indystar.com/help/contact/letters.html Website: http://www.starnews.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/210 Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/people/Mark+Souder COMMUNITIES CRY OUT FOR METH HELP Our position is: Federal government should adjust priorities on drug enforcement to meet rising challenge of meth use. Many rural Indiana counties are struggling to cope with overcrowding in their jails, even though in some cases the overall population of the region is declining. In several counties, especially in southwestern Indiana, the number of children entering foster care has surged, further straining a child protection system that already functions poorly. In Terre Haute, the city has aggressively condemned and demolished vacant homes to prevent fires, explosions and the threat of toxic leaks. What's going on? A rising wave of methamphetamine use that, according to a new survey of 500 sheriffs, is the nation's most challenging drug problem. Indiana is one of 17 states reporting that meth arrests have more than doubled in the past five years. In a National Association of Counties survey released this week, about 90 percent of the sheriffs polled reported increases in meth arrests. More than half said it's the biggest problem they must confront. Sheriff Jon Marvel, for example, told the Associated Press that 80 percent of the inmates in the Vigo County Jail are there on meth-related charges. One consequence is a dramatic increase in the cost of operating local police agencies, jails and courts. The Indiana General Assembly responded this year by approving restrictions on the sale of some over-the-counter medications. The Department of Correction also is setting up a meth treatment program for its inmates. Unfortunately, the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy doesn't seem to be listening to state and local leaders' concerns. The White House continues to insist that marijuana use is the more pressing problem. While in raw numbers of users that may be true, the social and health consequences of using meth far outstrip those associated with smoking marijuana. Rep. Mark Souder puts it well. "It ain't just Kansas anymore," the Indiana congressman said. "The whole country is screaming. The entire nation is yelling. At what time does Washington respond?" Congress and the White House need to respond by shifting the priorities of federal agencies involved in drug enforcement. Too many communities in the heartland are hurting to ignore their cries. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth