Daniels grants target Colorado 'meth epidemic'

Two Colorado anti-methamphetamine programs on Friday received
$375,000 in grants to fight what Attorney General John Suthers calls
a "meth epidemic."

Suthers announced that $200,000 is going to the Colorado Alliance for
Drug Endangered Children, and $175,000 has been awarded to a meth
treatment pilot program in Delta County.

The money for the grants was provided by the Daniels
Fund.

"In my lifetime, it's the worst drug we've seen," in part because
it's so addictive, Suthers said.

Suthers, who is the chairman of a statewide meth task force, said
Colorado has been hit hard by methamphetamine abuse.

Colorado's meth-related arrest rates are 11 percent higher than other
states.

One in five patients admitted to drug treatment programs in Colorado
is addicted to meth.

And treatment rates in rural counties have increased more than 20
percent in recent years, he said.