FIGHTING THE METH WAR

THERE IS BOTH GOOD NEWS and bad news in the Bush administration's new plan
to target the growing methamphetamine epidemic that is sweeping the
country. The good news is that the administration has noticed it, but the
bad news is that its response is not nearly adequate.

Methamphetamine abuse is one of the nation's greatest domestic problems. It
is a cheap and easy-to-access drug that is very potent and very dangerous
to the people who use it, the people around them and to society in general.

In many locales across the country meth abuse has surpassed cocaine use.
The difference in meth, which can be easily made from over-the-counter cold
medications, is that its high last much longer than cocaine. Meth users can
feel the effects of the drug for three to four days, until they suddenly
crash. One of the elements of a meth high is that the user becomes very
animated and considers himself or herself invincible. Users often can
become extremely violent and strong. Law enforcement personnel confide that
meth abuse is a very difficult problem for them. Jail officials have said
that many of the inmates who are in local penal facilities are there
because of meth, either directly or indirectly.

The administration has some good elements in its proposals. They simply do
not go far enough.

The federal government plans to debut public service advertisements, fund
$16.2 million in treatment grants and limit the sale of over-the-counter
cold medicine containing ingredients used to make the illegal drug.

Attorney General Alberto Gonzales referred to meth as a "scourge," which is
true, and we are glad to hear him say it.

But the federal plans to curb the sale of over-the-counter medication is
far less restrictive than California's laws. The White House proposed a
3.6-gram limit on the sale to one person, but California's limit is already
at 3 grams.

Sen. Dianne Feinstein has sponsored a bill to move cold medicines
containing pseudoephedrine -- the key ingredient used to "cook" meth in
labs -- off supermarket shelves and behind counters. Her bill would limit
consumers to buying 7.5 grams, or about 12 packages, per month. They would
have to show a photo ID, and computer tracking would prevent customers from
exceeding the limit at other stores. The Senate Judiciary Committee
unanimously approved Feinstein's bill last month, and the full Senate is
expected to vote on it this fall, although the White House has not endorsed it.

But it is important that the White House has begun to pay attention to what
has become a national epidemic.

The proposal:

Requires pseudoephedrine importers to get Drug Enforcement Administration
approval for any shipment order changes to prevent diversion for illegal use.

Provides $16.2 million over three years to help local agencies treat
methamphetamine addiction.

Plans for the DEA to expand a pilot project that helps to eliminate
clandestine meth labs.

Creates ads targeting methamphetamine, which the National Youth Anti-Drug
Media Campaign will launch in the fall in targeted areas.

All of these things will help, but much more must be done if the nation is
to win this battle. It won't be easy and it won't be quick, but it is a
battle that we must win.