STATE MAY RECEIVE $1 MILLION TO FIGHT METHAMPHETAMINES

WASHINGTON -- Congress may send an extra $1 million to Washington state to
help officials battle skyrocketing use of methamphetamines.

The funding is included in a $29.9 billion spending bill to fund the
Treasury Department and related agencies. That bill cleared the Senate on a
91-5 vote last week.

But there is no guarantee Washington state will get the extra money. The
House version of the Treasury funding bill does not include the extra $1
million. The Senate and House bills will be reconciled in a conference
committee.

Washington state has been beset by increased use of the drug, also known as
speed. Officials last year found 203 illegal labs that produce
methamphetamines, up from 36 in 1990. Seven labs were in Snohomish County

Officials will break down more than 200 labs this year. Already in 1998,
the state Department of Ecology has taken apart 180 labs in southwestern
Washington alone.

Checked-by: Joel W. Johnson