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.