OFFICERS TALK TO CONGRESS ABOUT RURAL METH LABS

WASHINGTON - Although most of the methamphetamine sold in the United States
is produced in large factory-like labs, thousands of mom-and- pop labs all
over the country can easily make smaller amounts because the ingredients
are everyday items, sheriffs and drug-enforcement officers told Congress on
Thursday.

Doug Harp, chief deputy sheriff of Noble County, said 80 percent of the
drug cases he has investigated in the last six years involved "meth."

Meth is easier to make than cocaine, produces a longer-lasting high than
crack and is more addictive than heroin, the police officers told a House
subcommittee chaired by Rep. Mark Souder, R-4th.

Although the chemicals used to make it are easy to come by, they have a
strong odor, so rural areas are popular places to set up a lab, they said.

"It's often been referred to as the 'poor man's stimulant.' But you can't
say that anymore. It's available all across the board," said Joseph Keefe,
chief of operations of the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Police in Noble County confiscated $500,000 worth of meth in the last year,
Sheriff Doug Dukes said.

Souder said it's hard to control the growth of the meth labs because "just
$2,500 worth of chemicals can make 4 pounds of methamphetamine with a
street price of $163,000."

"In my lifetime I don't believe that rural America has ever had to deal
with anything as destructive and costly as meth," Harp said. "It is my
belief that it has not yet peaked. Usage will continue to grow, and
availability of the drug will reach epic proportions."

He and other law enforcement officers from around the country said they
need congressional help. They said they don't want new federal programs;
they want money to hire more police officers.

Souder said lawmakers must also consider whether to put limits on the
products used to make meth: Over-the-counter cold medicines, farm
fertilizers, rock salt, battery acid, red phosphorous road flares, pool
acid and iodine crystals can be used.