TARGETING METH

The war against methamphetamines is increasing in both words and
action. Brian Baird, rapidly emerging as meth's worst enemy in the
Pacific Northwest, on Tuesday helped lead the U.S. House of
Representatives to pass a major anti-meth bill, and the Vancouver
congressman gives every indication that he's not through yet.

By a 424-1 vote, the House passed a bill sponsored by Baird and U.S.
Rep. Darlene Hooley, D-Ore., that authorizes the State Department to
spend at least $4 million next year on reducing meth production in,
and trafficking from, Mexico.

We urge the Senate to pass its own authorizing legislation and fund
this interdiction effort, because, as Baird notes, "Over half of the
meth consumed in the U.S. is made in Mexico and smuggled into the U.S.
by Mexican drug cartels."

Specifically, the bill directs the State Department's International
Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs Bureau to do three things: work
more closely with Mexican law enforcement agencies in addressing the
meth problem, improve interception rates at the Mexican border and
report to Congress about the results each year.

It's also encouraging to see authorities inside the Capital Beltway
finally come around to Baird's way of thinking on the severity of the
crisis. He was one of the first to describe meth as America's No.1
drug problem, but others were slow to adopt that attitude. Two weeks
ago, federal drug officials still tagged marijuana as the chief drug
problem despite a report by the National Association of Counties that
described meth as the primary threat. It was highly encouraging,
therefore, when U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzalez on Monday said
meth was "the most dangerous drug in America."

Likely affecting that opinion is the fact that residual effects of
methamphetamine addiction are staggering. Not only are meth labs
cooking the deadly brew nationwide and across the border, but numerous
other crimes such as burglary and theft are tied to meth addicts'
desperate quest for money to fund their habit.

Additionally, more than a dozen states have approved legislation
restricting the sale of cold medicines containing three ingredients
that are used to manufacture meth. Some states have required the
medicines be sold only at pharmacies, others have said sales shall be
made only at staffed counters, and others (including Washington state)
are requiring (as of Oct. 1) that retailers keep the medications
behind the counter, for sale only to adults who show ID and sign a
sales log.

Oregon is trying a different tactic. The House in Salem on Wednesday
voted to make Oregon the first state in the nation to require a
doctor's prescription for the medicines in question. The Senate has
yet to act on the measure. We're not sure such a broad and drastic
measure is necessary at this point. If an adult gets a cold and seeks
medicinal relief, the Washington state restrictions might be effective
enough.

At any rate, it's good to see federal and state lawmakers recognizing
meth for what it has become: America's worst drug problem.