$4 MILLION PLAN TARGETS METH

Democrats say the GOP drags its feet while the drug spreads across Iowa.

With less than a month remaining in the legislative session, an 11th-hour
issue is percolating at the Statehouse: Iowa's devastating methamphetamine
addiction.

Democrats this week proposed a $4 million plan to combat the growing
problem plaguing communities from Sioux City to Muscatine. They argued the
Republicans controlling the Legislature have done nothing meaningful to
attack the problem.

Now House Republicans hope to counter that measure by developing
legislation that takes a "comprehensive approach," said Rep. Jeffrey
Lamberti, R-Ankeny, chairman of the House Judiciary Committee.

The rush of legislation was preceded by revelations that the vast majority
of methamphetamine in Iowa is not home-cooked, but funneled through a
sophisticated pipeline from Mexico and California.

Iowa's Drug of Choice

The drug - also known as crank, ice and speed - first flourished with the
motorcycle gangs of the 1960s and 1970s. These days, its cheap, highly
addictive, long-lasting fix is the choice of Iowa drug users, no matter
their income, age, gender or where they live.

The details of the House Republicans' proposal are still being worked out,
Lamberti said. But it likely will affect meth users, dealers and suppliers.
He also said the GOP would have to work within existing budget targets.

Under consideration are mandatory minimum sentences for meth dealers and an
outlaw of appeal bonds for convicted dealers, he said.

The proposal by Democrats includes money to create a 15-member "meth strike
force" to further investigate clandestine meth labs and drug manufacturers.
It also would establish grants so local law enforcement authorities could
increase training, staff and equipment.

Chances Aren't Good

In addition, the plan would boost funding for meth addiction treatment and
target teen-agers to keep them from using the drug.

The prognosis for the Democrats' proposal has not been good.

Sen. Dennis Black, D-Grinnell, said he unsuccessfully offered it as an
amendment to the health and human-rights budget.

"It's high time that Iowa government leaders develop some courage and
declare an all-out war on methamphetamine," Black said.

But in response to the Democrats' plan, Lamberti said: "Dumping more money
is not going to solve the problem. It's not a money problem. It's
punishment."

Gov. Terry Branstad acknowledged recently more can be done to fight meth,
but he stands by his record.

"You never do enough, dealing with something this dangerous and serious,"
Branstad said. "But I would stack up what we've done in Iowa against any
state in the country. We've been very aggressive in education, public
information and tougher penalties."

Branstad cited the drug-testing bill passed this session as the most
significant this year to fight meth. Users have said that if drug testing
had been done at their workplace, they wouldn't have gotten tangled with
the drug, he said.

Drug-Abuse Summit

But on March 19, Branstad sent a letter to Alan Leshner, director of the
National Institute on Drug Abuse, inviting him to a town meeting in Des
Moines this fall to explore other steps.

Charles Larson, the state's drug czar, said one important step could be
locking up meth dealers and manufacturers after their conviction. If they
are allowed out on appeal bonds, many keep cooking the drug and teaching
others to do the same, he said.

"That would send an immediate signal to the drug community: You're out of
business," Larson said.

He said mandatory minimum sentences also are necessary to break people's
addictions and the groups that make and deal the drug.

He hopes the random drug-testing legislation recently signed by the
governor also will stymie the meth problem.

More investigators also might help.

Iowa is part of the Midwest High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area, which
means federal money is funneled to the state to fight meth manufacturing,
importation and use.

According to Larson's office, drug task forces operate throughout the
state, covering 74 counties and 80 percent of the population. The Iowa
Department of Public Safety's Clandestine Lab Response Team works to bust
local manufacturers and clean up hazardous materials that are left behind.

But House Speaker Ron Corbett, R-Cedar Rapids, said news of the
sophisticated meth pipeline means the state might need to focus on adding
drug-enforcement officers.

Harsher Penalties

Corbett also is interested in stiffer penalties for users unless they tell
who sold them the drug.

"That way we can start moving up the ladder to the drug kingpin or the main
people involved in the organization," he said.

During the summer, he wants to study the state's substance-abuse treatment
system and how it is faring under the added pressure of meth addicts.

Democrats, meanwhile, plan to keep pressing the issue and hope to win
approval of their proposal.

"We're going to keep the pressure on," said House Minority Leader David
Schrader, D-Monroe.

On Monday, away from the Statehouse spotlight, U.S. attorneys in Iowa and
other officials will inaugurate a public-information campaign called "Life
or Meth."

The campaign, developed by the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area,
includes an educational video, crank hot line and television spots. One TV
announcement shows what appears to be a kid dancing to music, said Stephen
Rapp, U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Iowa. In reality, the
teen-ager is convulsing on the floor next to a toilet.

"We're trying to get out there and make this drug unacceptable," Rapp said.

RELATED BILLS

Iowa lawmakers this year and last have introduced bills related to the
growing problem of methamphetamine use. Here are some of the measures that
became law, and others that are proposals:

Someone 18 or older who manufactures methamphetamine in the presence of a
minor shall be sentenced up to an additional five years in confinement.
Enacted.

Judges are permitted to impose a longer jail term for someone who
manufactures crank in hotel rooms. Enacted.

Random and unannounced tests of workers for use of alcohol or other drugs.
Enacted.

State officials would report to the Legislature and the governor the extent
of methamphetamine use in the state, options for early intervention and the
availability of treatment for substance abuse and mental illness by Dec.
15, 1998. Proposed.

Someone 18 or older who unlawfully manufactures and delivers meth to
someone younger than 18 would be guilty of a class A felony and sentenced
to life in prison. Proposed.

Drivers would be considered operating a vehicle while intoxicated if they
have any amount of a controlled substance or other drug not prescribed
present in their system. Proposed.