CRYING WOLF ABOUT METH ABUSE?

To the Editor:

John Tierney's blithe dismissal of the methamphetamine scourge is
unconscionable. The Conference of Western Attorneys General earlier
this year declared meth the country's No. 1 drug problem.

Last month, a nationwide survey of 500 law enforcement agencies showed
58 percent listing meth as their biggest drug problem, well ahead of
cocaine (19 percent) and marijuana (17 percent).

Drug experts agree that meth is extremely addictive, with low rates of
treatment success. Its capacity to cause permanent brain damage is
well documented.

Its harm to children is heartbreaking; the majority of children placed
in protective custody in Arizona come from homes in which meth was
cooked or used.

In addition to wrecking lives, meth is closely tied to a laundry list
of serious crimes, including domestic abuse, burglary, assault, auto
theft and identity theft.

Meth has a devastating impact on users, their families and
communities. We need more tools to combat it. Passing the federal bill
to impose tighter controls on the sale of pseudoephedrine would be an
effective start.

Terry Goddard

Attorney General of Arizona

Phoenix, Aug. 9, 2005