6 COUNTIES SET FOR FUNDS TO FIGHT DRUG TRAFFICKING

Six Oklahoma counties have been designated High-Intensity Drug Trafficking
Areas, qualifying them to share $250,000 in federal money to combat drug
traffic, U.S. Rep. Ernest J. Istook said Friday. The counties are Oklahoma,
Tulsa, Cleveland, Comanche, Muskogee and Sequoyah. Istook made the
announcement at a news conference at the state Capitol.

The counties earned the designation because of Oklahoma's high national
ranking for methamphetamine drug problems and the efforts of Istook, who
leads the House Appropriations Subcommittee that oversees more than $2
billion in federal anti-drug spending.

Istook, R-War Acres, said he asked the Office of National Drug Control
Policy to make a priority review to determine if parts of Oklahoma should
be designated as High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas.

The Office of National Drug Control Policy decided that because of
Oklahoma's central location, it has a national impact on drug trafficking
and drug availability in other parts of the country and qualifies for the
designation.

"Meth labs and meth use are major problems in Oklahoma, and it's expensive
to combat them," Istook said. "This HIDTA designation gives Oklahoma
significant new help to fight meth and other illegal drugs."

Istook said the counties will get another $250,000 next year for
drug-fighting efforts.

The designation will help the counties deal with other drug problems
including cocaine, marijuana and heroin, he said.

The money will help the counties pay for specialized training; overtime for
HIDTA-related activities; leasing vehicles; paying for evidence costs in
law enforcement investigations; paying for specialized law enforcement
equipment not normally provided by agencies; leasing fees and other costs.

Oklahoma City Police Chief M.T. Berry said the Oklahoma City Police
Department spent $142,000 for methamphetamine enforcement last year,
dismantling 193 labs.

This year the department has dismantled 180 labs, Berry said.

"One of the saddest stories in Oklahoma is our problem with methamphetamine
labs. Every community in America has a drug problem. No place is immune,"
Istook said. "We're accustomed to thinking that the worst problems are in
the largest urban areas of the country. Unfortunately, when it comes to
methamphetamines, Oklahoma's problem ranks right at the top."