CONFRONT THE METH PROBLEM

Democrats Urge Plan To Crack Down On Drug Operations

Statehouse Democrats announced a $4 million proposal Monday to combat
methamphetamine use.

"We hope that our action will force this Legislature to confront the meth
problem and put some teeth in our meth-fighting efforts," House Minority
Leader David Schrader of Monroe said at a news conference.

Schrader said the production, distribution and use of meth is "the most
serious crime problem facing Iowa today."

Neither the governor nor Statehouse Republicans, he said, have done
anything meaningful" to attack the problem. That comment, however, was
disputed by Republicans.

"We have been working closely with local and federal officials to address
this problem," said Eric Woolson, spokesman for Gov. Terry Branstad.
"Everyone knows it's a serious problem. It's unfortunate the Democrats
would want to try to politicize this in an election year."

Republican House Speaker Ron Corbett of Cedar Rapids also questioned the
Democrats' motives.

"It's pretty late in the budgeting process for a proposal like this to make
it through the cut," Corbett said, adding that Democrats should have made
the proposal in January. He said, however, that he believes some of the
items in the proposal are worth examining in the future.

Democrats will try to win approval of their proposal during the upcoming
debate of the state's budget bills. The money is available for the
proposal, Schrader argued, because the state presently has a budget surplus.

He said he wants to make policy, not play politics.

The drug, also known as crank, ice and speed, first flourished with the
motorcycle gangs of the 1960s and 1970s. But authorities here became
especially alarmed in 1994, when drug users started showing up in traffic
stops, emergency rooms and schools.

The proposal by the House Democrats includes money to create a 15-member
"meth strike force" to further investigate clandestine meth labs and people
involved in manufacturing the drug.

The plan also would establish a grant program so local law authorities can
get more training, more staff members and more equipment to fight meth.

"The training is needed," Marion County Sheriff Marvin Van Haaften said at
the news conference. "It's a new phenomenon. It's dangerous. A lot of
these meth dealers are extremely paranoid because of their drug use. A lot
of weapons are involved."

The Democrats' plan would also boost funding for meth-addiction treatment
and would target teenagers with an educational campaign.

Democratic Rep. Paul Bell of Newton, a police officer, said a new approach
to the methamphetamine problem is needed. Legislators have passed more
laws and stricter laws, he said.

"But it's not working," Bell said. "Anybody can see it's not working."