Pubdate: Thu, 20 Jul 2006
Source: Daily Review Atlas (Monmouth, IL)
Copyright: 2006 Review Atlas
Contact:  http://www.reviewatlas.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4186
Author: Stacey Creasy
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

METH STILL TOP DRUG

MONMOUTH - Methamphetamine continues to be public enemy number one 
for law enforcement agencies in the area and across the U.S. Even 
though the overall number of meth labs seized has decreased in many 
areas, methamphetamine, also known on the street as crystal meth or 
crank, is still abundant as well as cheap compared to some drugs.

Most law enforcement officials believe the methamphetamine superlabs 
in the southwest are manufacturing more of the drug to make up for 
the decreased local production. In the metro areas meth abuse 
continues to fuel an increase in crimes like robbery and assault, 
which is straining the workload of local police forces.

The crimes are not as much of a problem in the rural areas but 
officials like Monmouth Police Chief Brad Ziegler and Warren County 
Sheriff Martin Edwards deal with meth labs and crimes like anhydrous 
ammonia thefts.

Both have been on the decline in the past year, but the meth is still 
out there, and local officials fear the problem will continue to get 
worse before it improves.

A survey of the National Association of Counties found nearly half of 
county law enforcement officials consider methamphetamine their 
primary drug problem, more than cocaine, marijuana and heroin combined.

A number of county sheriffs in the area have said anywhere from 25 
percent to more than 50 percent of their prisoners are in jail on 
meth-related charges.

The survey of 500 county law enforcement officials in 44 states 
showed that about half reported a decrease in the number of meth lab 
busts as a result of laws that restrict the sale of cold medicines 
with precursor ingredients used in the manufacture of meth.

Illinois has similar laws. Local law enforcement officials believe 
the laws make it more difficult for some people to make the drug. The 
laws have also assisted police in a number of arrests.

The survey is also consistent with federal figures released last 
month showing a 30 percent drop in the number of labs seized 
nationwide. But county officials said supply of the drug remains high 
from super labs in California and Mexico.

Last month, the White House drug-policy office set a goal to cut meth 
use by 15 percent over the next three years and increase seizures of 
meth labs by 25 percent.

A number of federal lawmakers have been asked to reject a Bush 
administration proposal to eliminate the Justice Assistance Grant 
program, which funds drug task forces around the country. That call 
was echoed by local law enforcement officials at a news conference to 
announce the survey.

"It makes absolutely no sense to fight a war on drugs, then reduce 
the funding when you're in the midst of battle," said Oklahoma County 
Sheriff John Whetsel. About 1,000 of the 2,800 inmates in the 
Oklahoma County jail are incarcerated for meth-related crimes, he said.

In the rural areas a number of sheriff's departments have dropped out 
of task forces in order to focus more on their immediate areas. In 
some cases local task forces has been formed.

The survey, taken at the end of June, is based on a random sample of 
sheriffs or police chiefs in 500 of the nation's 3,066 counties. The 
association does not reveal the identity of the counties because it 
would discourage them from responding freely, said Jacqueline Byers, 
NACo's director of research.

(The Associated Press contributed to this report).
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman