REPORT SAYS DENVER MAJOR DISTRIBUTION CENTER FOR METH

Denver has become a principal U.S. distribution center for
methamphetamine, a task force said in its first annual report Tuesday.

The report said that the city's prominence in meth distribution is
likely due to the intersection of major highways and the high levels
of trafficking from Mexico.

Colorado's Methamphetamine Task Force is headed by state Attorney
General John Suthers and Lori Moriarity of the North Metro Drug Task
Force.

The report also said that the meth-use problem is becoming
particularly acute in rural areas of Colorado, where there has been a
7 percent to 22 percent increase in meth-treatment admissions.

"Colorado has a higher percentage of persons aged 12 or older
reporting past-year methamphetamine use from 2002-2005, as compared
to the national average," the report added.

One bit of good news in the report is that the number of meth labs in
Colorado has decreased in the past three years. It said the decrease
is likely due to stricter laws and better communication among law
enforcement officials and Colorado communities.