HENRY UNVEILS METH PLAN: FIGHT TRAFFIC BUT AID ADDICTS

Gov. Brad Henry announced plans Monday to crack down on
methamphetamine traffickers and start a treatment program to help the
drug's addicts kick the habit.

His proposal calls for hiring 12 Hispanic undercover agents as a
special unit to track down meth traffickers who are importing large
quantities of the drug from Mexico, California and other places.

"I want to send a clear, loud, strong message: If you try to do your
methamphetamine business in Oklahoma, we will catch you and we will
severely punish you," Henry said.

The governor is asking that $1 million in new money be allocated to
form the drug unit; some of the money would develop an education
program on the drug's dangers. He also is backing a measure that
would strengthen meth-trafficking penalties.

Another $1 million is proposed for the state Mental Health and
Substance Abuse Services Department to create a treatment program for
meth addicts. Treating meth addicts, said Mental Health Commissioner
Terry Cline, may take six months to a year, followed by a
rehabilitation period that sometimes takes years.

The intensive outpatient program, endorsed by the National Institute
of Drug Abuse, has proven effective elsewhere, he said. The proposed
$1 million would provide treatment for about 500 meth addicts, Cline
said. the state has about 20,000 meth addicts, including 4,000
adolescents, he said.

Meth lab seizures in the state have dropped significantly since
Oklahoma passed a law in 2003 making it harder to buy
pseudoephedrine, a key ingredient in making the illegal drug. Drug
agents average seizing about two active labs a month, said Lonnie
Wright, director of the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous
Drugs Control. Investigators in March 2004 seized 100 meth labs.

Street addicts could make their own meth for $43 an ounce, he said.
Meth imported from the Mexican drug cartels, called "crystal meth or
Mexican ice," costs about $1,500 an ounce.

Sidebar

Henry's proposal Form a special methamphetamine interdiction team,
including bilingual agents, in the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and
Dangerous Drugs Control to focus on major meth traffickers.

Strengthen penalties. For importers of one or more pounds of
methamphetamine, the minimum sentence would be 10 years to life,
according to Senate Bill 1713 by Sen. Charles Wyrick, D-Fairland.

Launch a statewide Web-based education program available to schools,
libraries and other organizations on the dangers of methamphetamine addiction.

Create a meth addiction treatment program under the state's Mental
Health and Substance Abuse Department.