METH TASK FORCE GETS MUCH-NEEDED MONEY

STANISLAUS COUNTY--The recently-signed state budget included a
million dollars for the the Stanislaus-San Joaquin drug task force,
money that was not guaranteed.

"I'm absolutely ecstatic about it," said Lt. Marvin Harper of the
Meth Task Force.

The Stanislaus-San Joaquin Drug Task Force is widely recognized for
its success in breaking up drug rings and super labs, and making a
multi-million dollar dent in the nation's illegal meth market.

But that did not make it immune from state and federal cutbacks.

Last year, five positions including two detectives and a deputy d.a.
were cut from Stanislaus County drug task forces, with the
possibility of more cuts this year.

"Not only weren't we sure what kind of operation we were going to
run. We weren't sure if we were going to be able to run an
operation," said Harper.

It doesn't help that crimes from domestic violence and burglaries to
gang violence are fueled by meth.

"It makes good people bad, and bad people worse," said Stanislaus
County Sheriff Les Weidman.

Local law enforecment agencies are now seeing a link between meth and
crimes that wouldn't ordinarily be connected with the drug trade.

Stealing identities has now joined the list of crimes committed for drug money.

"They are supporting their drug habit, particularly meth habits with
ill-gotten gains whether through identity theft or other types of
crimes," said Weidman.

With the task force fully staffed, it can continue doing what it does best.

Future budget cuts may be less likely now that Sheriff Weidman has
taken a job as the Governor's top law enforcement advisor.