Pubdate: Wed, 07 Dec 2011 Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution (GA) Copyright: 2011 Tony Gardner Contact: http://www.ajc.com/opinion/content/opinion/letters/sendletter.html Website: http://www.ajc.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/28 Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v11/n682/a06.html Author: Tony Gardner Responsibility MAKE CRIMINALS PAY TO CLEAN UP METH MESS As a taxpayer, I find our government's methods of funding the cleanup of meth labs to be disgustingly inept ("Flap throws off meth lab tracking," Metro, Dec. 1). Federal funding for this purpose ran out months ago (although millions were recently appropriated, along with more funds from Georgia's Criminal Justice Coordinating Council). Why should taxpayers get the bill for this? When a person is convicted of operating a meth lab in their house, judges should be able to order the sale of that house (or other property the meth maker may have), with proceeds going to a state fund to clean up meth labs. A meth lab is a danger to the whole neighborhood and expensive to clean up Government should look to the criminals - not the taxpayers - to pay for these irresponsible crimes. TONY GARDNER, CUMMING - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom