ECOLOGY NEEDS TO PERMIT BURNING OF ILLEGAL DRUGS

The state Department of Ecology should expedite its rule changes that
will permit the incineration of the stash of illicit street drugs now
piling up in sheriff's and police evidence lockers statewide.

For a decade police and sheriff's agencies had been sending the drugs
they seized from suspects and during drug busts to a Spokane
incinerator. But a question from Washington State University's medical
program and hospital about whether it was appropriate to incinerate
medical waste prompted an official review that stopped the practice
for illicit drugs as well.

In June the Spokane Regional Waste Energy Incinerator stopped taking
narcotics for burning.

Last month Ecology Director Tom Fitzsimmons told the governor that he
was working to amend agency rules to exempt street drugs and allow
them to be burned again.

Caitlyn Cormier, an Ecology Department spokeswoman, said the
administrative rule change process has started, will include a public
comment period and might take about six months. Ecology officials
consider incineration a safe way to dispose of the street drugs,
particularly because law enforcement has to follow strict guidelines
for handling and disposal.

In the meantime, Ecology officials helped hook up the Washington
Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs with an incinerator in
Salem, Ore., that might be able to burn the drugs. Negotiations have
started.

In the long run, however, a more convenient location is necessary,
especially considering the security risks of moving caches of drugs or
keeping them on hand longer because their ultimate destination is so
distant.

Especially if drug incineration poses no health risk to the public,
Ecology officials should make this change as quickly as possible.