CONSORTIUM AGAINST METH PRESENTS PROPOSALS

A consortium of policy-makers, drug-treatment experts, law enforcement
officials and others concerned about the epidemic of methamphetamine abuse
in Washington state issued a long list of recommendations yesterday aimed
at battling the illicit drug.

Washington state ranks second in the nation, next to California, for
meth-lab busts.

In early August, a two-day conference in Bellevue brought together nearly
400 people to develop a strategy that incorporates prevention, treatment,
enforcement and education.

According to the National Crime Prevention Council in Washington, D.C., one
of the organizations that sponsored the August summit, the group has agreed
on 60 separate recommendations in eight categories: policy, treatment,
media/public awareness, law enforcement, lab cleanup, prosecution,
child-protective services and youths.

Recommendations include:

Appoint a meth czar, of sorts, who could orchestrate strategy and programs.

Fully fund a comprehensive program to eradicate meth from the state.

Conduct studies to determine effective treatment strategies and access to care.

Explore taxation strategies on abused over-the-counter drugs to pay for
treatment.

Improve coordination with child-protective services.