TAKING METH DOWN

King County Makes Progress

Here's encouraging news: The number of methamphetamine drug labs uncovered
in King County last year was less than what was reported in 2003. And
thanks to the down-tick here and in 24 other counties, meth labs statewide
decreased for the third year in a row, further reversing a steady rise that
began in the 1990s and ended in 2001.

The state Department of Ecology, which is notified by counties when
despicable meth-making operations are discovered, reports 1,337 sites were
taken out of commission last year. That's a 9.6 percent decrease from the
1,480 in 2003, a noteworthy encroachment on the illegal drug business that
has been such a scourge on communities.

Counties with the most meth labs have been King, Pierce, Snohomish and
Thurston. But last year, only Pierce and Snohomish had gains. Lamentably,
so did 10 others.

Acids, iodine, sodium hydroxide, flammable solvents, anhydrous ammonia,
lithium, sodium metals and red phosphorous are used to produce meth. The
substances can cause severe injury or death if inhaled or touched, and they
require special handling to remove safely. Authorities say anyone who finds
a suspected meth lab or evidence of one should leave immediately and
contact the police -- and help keep the trend going in the right direction:
Down.