Pubdate: Mon, 11 Apr 2005 Source: Tennessean, The (TN) Copyright: 2005 The Tennessean Contact: http://www.tennessean.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/447 Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine) GIVE METH BATTLE A CHANCE The budget mindset of the Bush administration could wind up being a punch in the stomach to Tennessee's recent efforts to fight methamphetamine. Either the state's delegation to Congress should work to make sure federal funding is sufficient to meet Tennessee's meth problems or state lawmakers need to find ways to address the issue themselves. Meth is too big a problem to let slide. The Bush budget proposal actually raises overall funding for fighting drugs, increasing the money for the drug war by 2.2% to $12.4 billion. But most of the increase is directed at drug shipments across borders and at international drug-fighting strategies. Perhaps the administration doesn't fully grasp the enormity of the domestic scourge of methamphetamine. Last year in Tennessee, 1,259 meth labs were seized. The president wants to eliminate a $634 million grant program for state and local police and dramatically reduce funds for the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas, which relies on cooperation between federal, state and local law enforcement organizations. The Bush plan would cut spending there from $226 million to $100 million, saying the program has gotten too big. Without federal help, local law enforcement is extremely challenged in fighting drug crime. The Bush team would specifically reduce spending in a Justice Department methamphetamine program from $52.6 million to $20 million. Tennessee has done its part. Law enforcement officials have raised awareness about the degree of the meth problem in the state, the legislature has enacted tough laws aimed at addressing problems specific to meth, and Gov. Phil Bredesen has backed those initiatives. It would be a setback for all those efforts if suddenly federal funding jeopardized the potential of success in the state's approach. The meth legislation has been a thoughtful, comprehensive attempt to address a serious problem. But the spirit of cooperation is undermined if the level of federal funding threatens the chance for success. Tennessee appears ready to tackle the problem. The feds should, too. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom