LUCAS DISCUSSES METH PROBLEM WITH OFFICIALS

U.S. Rep. Frank Lucas met with Oklahoma City police and Oklahoma State
Bureau of Investigation officials Tuesday to discuss the state's growing
methamphetamine problem.

"The national trend in manufacture and consumption of methamphetamine is on
the increase," Lucas, R-Cheyenne, said at a news conference at police
headquarters.

Last month, Lucas requested an amendment providing an additional $11.7
million in funding for anti-meth programs for state and local law
enforcement. The U.S. House of Representatives did not include the
amendment in an appropriations bill.

Police Maj. Johnny Kuhlman said Lucas asked to speak with Police Chief M.T.
Berry after hearing about the department's success with its anti- meth
program, "Life or Meth." The program was funded by a Community Oriented
Policing block grant under the auspices of the U.S. Justice Department, but
the money ran out earlier this year.

"We need more resources to continue this fight," Berry said, "because the
problem is increasing."

Lucas, representing Oklahoma's mostly rural 6th District, said the meth
problem affects everyone in Oklahoma.

"This isn't just a problem in the urban areas," he said. "Police in every
county are struggling to deal with the illegal meth labs, even in rural towns."