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). - --- MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman