STUDY - METH STILL COUNTRY'S NO. 1 DRUG PROBLEM

WASHINGTON -- Meth abuse continues to fuel an increase in crimes like
robbery and assault, straining the workload of local police forces
despite a drop in the number of meth lab seizures, according to a
survey Tuesday.

Nearly half of county law enforcement officials consider
methamphetamine their primary drug problem, more than cocaine,
marijuana and heroin combined, the survey of the National Association
of Counties found.

"Abuse of this highly addictive brain-altering drug continues to
destroy lives and strain essential county services across America,"
said Bill Hansell, the association's president and commissioner of
Umatilla County, Ore.

Cold medicine restrictions help

The survey of 500 county law enforcement officials in 44 states
showed that about half reported a decrease in the number of meth lab
busts as a result of laws that restrict the sale of cold medicines
with precursor ingredients used in the manufacture of meth.

That's consistent with federal figures released last month showing a
30 percent drop in the number of labs seized nationwide. But county
officials said supply of the drug remains high from superlabs in
California and Mexico.

About half the counties reported that one in five inmates are jailed
because of meth-related crimes like robberies and burglaries. Another
17 percent of counties reported that one in two inmates are
incarcerated for meth-related activity.

Call to reject Bush proposal

Hansell called on Congress to develop a comprehensive strategy to
deal with the meth problem that includes more funding for anti-drug
task forces, drug prevention campaigns, treatment programs and
cleanup of toxic chemicals used to make meth.

Last month, the White House drug-policy office set a goal to cut meth
use by 15 percent over the next three years and increase seizures of
meth labs by 25 percent.

Hansell also urged federal lawmakers to reject a Bush administration
proposal to eliminate the Justice Assistance Grant program, which
funds drug task forces around the country.

"It makes absolutely no sense to fight a war on drugs, then reduce
the funding when you're in the midst of battle," said Oklahoma County
Sheriff John Whetsel. About 1,000 of the 2,800 inmates in the
Oklahoma County jail are incarcerated for meth-related crimes, he said.