METH MONEY MAY LET KBI ADD AGENTS Kansas is in line for a $2 million federal appropriation to fight methamphetamine, and the head of the Kansas Bureau of Investigation already knows how he would spend the money. "Our most desperate needs right now are for more people to throw into the battle," KBI director Larry Welch said Friday. "Our first goal is to hire more agents and forensic chemists to meet this expanding problem." The appropriation is included in a $39.9 billion measure to fund the departments of Commerce, Justice and State. The House approved the measure Thursday by a vote of 206-198, and the Senate approved it by a vote of 49-42 on Friday afternoon. President Clinton threatened a veto over an unrelated section on immigration. Kansas' methamphetamine problem has spiraled in recent years. Last year, 511 clandestine laboratories producing the illegal drug were broken up, compared with just four in 1994, Welch said. The number so far this year already exceeds last year's total. Assuming the money comes through, Welch said he likely would use part of it to hire seven more KBI narcotics agents and five more KBI forensic chemists. Other likely expenditures include a purchase of a clandestine-lab response truck, remodeling of the KBI's forensic laboratory in Great Bend, more drug-evidence storage space at KBI headquarters in Topeka, more training and safety equipment for local law enforcement personnel around the state, and updated analytical equipment for examining clandestine lab cases. The KBI already has one custom trailer for meth raids. That vehicle, which went into service in January 1999, is outfitted with surveillance equipment, phone jacks, electrical power and a shower for agents to wash off hazardous chemicals after on-scene tests. Welch said Sen. Pat Roberts and Rep. Todd Tiahrt, both Kansas Republicans, helped secure the appropriation. In addition, Rep. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., won approval of $150,000 for new forensic lab equipment to analyze drugs. "The effects that methamphetamine has had on our state are far-reaching and have stretched Kansas law enforcement resources to the breaking point," Moran said.
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