Pubdate: Wed, 26 Jul 2006
Source: Rocky Mountain News (Denver, CO)
Copyright: 2006, Denver Publishing Co.
Contact:  http://www.rockymountainnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/371
Author: Felix Doligosa Jr., Rocky Mountain News
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/rehab.htm (Treatment)

COLORADO TASK FORCE TARGETS METH USE

Number Of Addicts In Treatment Doubles Over Past Five Years

John Suthers says damage to economy from meth use is immeasurable.

A new statewide task force is hoping to ease the crisis caused by 
methamphetamine use - an addiction that is sending more than twice as 
many people into treatment than in years past.

The Colorado Methamphetamine Task Force, created by the legislature 
during the past session and funded by a $50,000 grant from the El 
Pomar Foundation, held its first meeting Tuesday.

The 27-member group, made up of workers from various agencies around 
the state, will examine community prevention, intervention and treatment.

"Meth abuse in Colorado has risen to extremely dangerous levels," 
said Attorney General John Suthers, chairman of the panel. "The 
damage meth inflicts on our communities and economy is immeasurable."

"There is no one strategy to solve this problem," said Janet Wood, 
director of the alcohol and drug abuse division of the state 
Department of Human Services and vice chairwoman of the group.

Lt. Lori Moriarty, commander of the North Metro Drug Task Force and 
another vice chairwoman of the group, said members will work on 
improving communication among agencies dealing with the problem.

For example, Moriarty said, when police bust a meth lab in a house 
occupied by juveniles, officers should contact social services to 
help provide a proper home for the children.

"Most times, we are focused on the arrests," she said.

There were 149 meth lab incidents in Colorado in 2005, according to 
the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. That was down from 228 such 
incidents in 2004.

Suthers pointed out, however, that despite the decreasing number of 
lab busts, about 95 percent of meth is imported from Mexico.

Last year, about 31 percent of all people in treatment programs were 
meth users, Wood said. In 2000, meth users made up only 14 percent of 
those being treated.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman