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.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom