Pubdate: Wed, 28 Sep 2005 Source: Columbian, The (WA) Copyright: 2005 The Columbian Publishing Co. Contact: http://www.columbian.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/92 Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/opinion.htm (Opinion) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine) TARGETING METH If little or no progress is made in the next few years in conquering the methamphetamines scourge that is ravaging America, it won't be for lack of trying in the Pacific Northwest. The meth-addiction problem is understood and powerful tactics are emerging on three levels. In Congress, U.S. Rep. Brian Baird, D-Vancouver and co-founder of the House Meth Caucus, helped draft a bill that was introduced last week. The Methamphetamine Epidemic Elimination Act, with 32 co-sponsors, has four provisions that warrant approval. It would limit the amount of pseudoephedrine or ephedrine a person could purchase at one time to 3.6 grams; restrict and monitor importation of other chemicals used to make meth; boost enforcement of environmental laws against meth cooks who pollute the environment by requiring them to pay restitution for cleanup costs; and require importers of meth precursor chemicals to disclose details about the chain of distribution. As Kathie Durbin reported in Friday's Columbian, the bill also would authorize a closer relationship with Mexico in blocking meth imports and trafficking. The Meth Caucus will discuss the bill in a meeting today with officials from the State Department, Drug Enforcement Administration, Office of National Drug Control Policy and Department of Homeland Security. At the state level, Attorney General Rob McKenna has launched his "Operation: Allied Against Meth," a task force that will hold its second meeting Thursday at the state Capitol. The task force is to make recommendations in the meth-related areas off reducing demand, criminal sanctions and environmental cleanup and governance. At the local level, a recovery form "Living Meth Free: Healing Lives, Families and Our Community" will be from 6 to 9 this evening at Southwest Washington Medical Center's Health Education Center on Northeast 92nd Avenue, north of Mill Plain Boulevard. Whether in Washington, D.C., Olympia or Vancouver, the meth-addiction problem deserves a high priority. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake