'SIGNIFICANT METH PROBLEM' IN UTAH

Utah Expert Says: "We Know What Needs To Be Done. We Need To Put More Money
In Treatment"

When a crime trend hits the major newsweeklies, it's a sign it has either
gone mainstream or run its course.

Methamphetamine's march through rural and urban America was dubbed a "new
drug crisis" last week in a Newsweek magazine cover story, featuring
graphic images of emaciated meth users and the scarred bodies of meth-lab
burn victims. The article, which took aim at the Bush administration for
largely ignoring the problem, has sparked outrage from columnists and
bloggers debunking the so-called "epidemic."

But in Utah, which has wrestled with meth for years, experts say that
debate does a disservice by either sensationalizing or downplaying the real
damage inflicted by the drug.

"The reality is we do have a significant methamphetamine problem. But you
can't blame law enforcement," said Luciano Colonna, executive director of
the Harm Reduction Project in Salt Lake City. "We know what needs to be
done. We need to put more money in treatment."

Last week, Colonna briefed aides of U.S. Health and Human Services
Secretary Mike Leavitt on research linking meth injection to the spread of
HIV and hepatitis. Also, on Aug. 19 and 20, Colonna will host those who are
seeking to contain the spread of meth at a national conference, which will
feature the latest in research and treatment techniques.

Once a problem confined to Western mountain states, crystal meth is making
inroads east. A form of speed that is smoked, snorted or injected, meth is
potent and has a long-lasting effect. It appeals to soccer moms,
blue-collar workers, gay professionals and club hoppers alike.

"A problem is not a problem until it hits Chicago, New York and Miami, and
guess what? Meth has hit there," said Patrick Fleming, Salt Lake County's
substance abuse director.

According to a survey of 500 law enforcement agencies in 45 states,
conducted by the National Association of Counties, 58 percent cited meth as
their biggest drug problem, dwarfing cocaine (19 percent), marijuana (17
percent) and heroin (3 percent).

"People are scared," said Fleming. "I had a treatment provider from another
state call and say, 'You can't treat this stuff.' I told him, 'Yes, we can,
and what other choice do we have?' "

Contradicting the county survey, however, are reports by the Drug
Enforcement Administration and National Survey on Drug Use and Health
showing meth seizures dropping and meth use flattening.

A crackdown on meth trafficking by Utah police appears to have paid off,
with declining arrests and meth laboratory busts. But the drug continues to
be imported from Mexico and Canada.

Utah meth use continues to soar, with 3,448 addicts reporting it to be
their drug of choice in 2000, compared to 5,486 in 2004.

Colonna stresses, however, that treatment works. He blames meth's grip on
the fact that treatment options are limited and too expensive for people
who lose their family and livelihoods to their addictions.

The Bush administration isn't solely to blame, said Colonna, noting that
the U.S. Congress is voting on a bill that would spend $17 million on law
enforcement, $7 million on prosecution and $3 million on treatment and
research.

"We live in a society where people want quick fixes. But we can't arrest
our way out of this," said Colonna. "It's clear that 'Just Say No' messages
and focusing on reducing supplies and not demand don't work."