DEBATE WILL HELP STATE FOCUS ON METH SOLUTIONS

It's good to know that potential solutions to Wyoming's
methamphetamine epidemic will be part of the gubernatorial debate
this year. It's a major problem that affects every age group and
economic class.

We need a healthy discussion of how to deal with meth from the law
enforcement, treatment and prevention perspectives. Republican
candidate Ray Hunkins has proposed a cabinet-level administrator to
coordinate such an effort. Democratic Gov. Dave Freudenthal
dismissively labeled the proposed official a "drug czar."

Whatever you call the job, ideas for fighting meth deserve discussion
in this year's campaign. The challenge -- for the candidates as well
as the voters -- will be to distinguish gimmicks from effective
measures to reduce the manufacture and use of meth.

As Freudenthal noted, the drug czar model has not worked effectively
at the federal level. Unfortunately, Wyoming's efforts also have much
room for improvement. A Legislative Service Office audit earlier this
year cited a fragmented approach as one of the state's major problems
in its fight against meth.

The audit indicated it's difficult to know if the Legislature's
allocation of $25 million for treatment is actually helping, because
of a lack of accountability, data and a solid plan to address
substance abuse problems.

The state's Substance Abuse Division, meanwhile, says Wyoming needs
more treatment options, especially residential services and help for
adolescents and women with children.

Hunkins says he would create a Governor's Drug Enforcement,
Prevention and Treatment Office. The administrator would directly
report to him, and be responsible for implementing the reforms
recommended in the LSO audit.

Freudenthal views such a plan as a top-down approach that would
merely centralize more authority in Cheyenne. He proposes using more
resources at the local level to identify and solve problems.

"The state shouldn't dictate what they do in communities,"
Freudenthal told a Wheatland drug conference last year.

There is tremendous potential to politicize this issue and point
fingers about whom to blame for what hasn't worked. Instead, the
focus should be on the best way for the state to coordinate its
future efforts so we're spending money wisely, where it most needs to go.

The two gubernatorial candidates clearly have different visions of
what the state should be doing. The debate surely will be
interesting; we hope it's productive as well.