LACK OF STRATEGY WORRIES 'METH SUMMIT'

Washington participants in a "meth summit" yesterday focused on the state's
lack of coordinated procedures to combat a drug problem that's spread so
fast police and health officials must scramble to keep up.

A group of King County lawmakers, police, educators and community
organizers spent yesterday brainstorming in Bellevue.

They sketched a plan that may lead to something like a task force to bring
together all the disparate sectors to fight the continued rise of
methamphetamines in Washington. The group decided to write a letter to
others who have an interest in the problem, in an effort to bring all the
parties into the discussion.

One thing was clear: the burgeoning use of homemade meth and the resulting
public danger isn't just a matter for police anymore.

"It's everybody's problem," said Capt. Jim Pryor, with the narcotics
division of the Seattle Police Department. "It's one that needs to be
addressed with adequate resources or its going to have serious consequences."

The 360 summit participants were grouped by county to address the
particular needs of each region in the state. Unlike most other drugs, meth
affects rural and urban communities equally, since it's often cooked in
remote places and is sold everywhere.

King County lacks a comprehensive plan that defines the problem and how to
fight it. Now, disparate agencies address enforcement, treatment, lab
cleanup and public awareness. The King County group identified several
barriers and solutions to those goals:

* Each agency has conflicting priorities that may interfere with a
meth-fighting agenda. An inclusive task force would bridge the conflicts,
and all the key players would be included in the decision making.

* There is a lack of political will to put laws in place necessary to
fighting meth. Lawmakers would be a part of the decision making and would
carry through the changes recommended by the group.

* Decision makers must focus on improving what's working and affecting any
necessary policy changes.

Though summit attendees didn't decide on any permanent solutions, their
recommendations will be combined in a pilot report for other states with a
meth problem. Envoys from each county group will meet again in November to
discuss the outcome and again in the spring.

"This is a good beginning," said Washington State Parent/Teacher
Association representative Rhonda McKim. "My greatest fear is that we don't
continue the energy and effort here and it just stays in this room."