Pubdate: Wed, 13 Apr 2005 Source: Courier-Journal, The (KY) 4130419/1025/NEWS02 Copyright: 2005 The Courier-Journal Contact: http://www.courier-journal.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/97 Note: Only publishes local LTEs Author: Lesley Stedman Weidenbener DANIELS SAYS NEW STEPS PLANNED TO FIGHT METH One goal is cutting police lab backlog INDIANAPOLIS -- Gov. Mitch Daniels announced an assault yesterday against methamphetamine, ordering new procedures to deal with children exposed to the drug's production and beefing up the state's police labs to process cases more quickly. "There is no overstating the damage this drug is inflicting to Indiana," Daniels said in his office, surrounded by state and local law enforcement officials. "There is no step we can take that is too strong to combat this drug." Daniels also called on lawmakers to pass restrictions on the sale of cold medicines that can be used to produce the drug, which he called a "critical problem" in Indiana. He endorsed a version of Senate Bill 444 that requires cold medicines containing pseudoephedrine to be classified as a Schedule V drug, meaning they could only be dispensed by a pharmacist and would be kept behind the pharmacy counter. Customers would not need a prescription to buy them but would have to sign a log and show an ID to make a purchase. Daniels said states that have imposed those requirements have been most successful combating meth labs, which create hazardous sites that are dangerous for adults and children. The legislation is headed to a House-Senate conference committee, where two members from each chamber will try to hammer out a compromise. The House has passed the stricter requirements endorsed yesterday by Daniels; the Senate supports a less restrictive proposal that still allows cold medicines to be sold in convenience stores and groceries without pharmacies. Lawmakers have until the end of the month to find a compromise, and Daniels said yesterday he will work with the bill's sponsors to pass a strict law. The governor announced yesterday that the Department of Child Services, a newly created agency that took over child protection services, will standardize the procedures for removing and protecting children exposed to meth production. Jim Payne, director of the department, said yesterday that in many counties more than 20 percent of children who are removed from homes have had some exposure to meth production or use. In Tippecanoe County, he said, the number totals 38 percent of all child protection cases. Payne said county officials have no protocol for dealing with meth issues, which are especially difficult because production of the drug involves a mix of toxic chemicals that can be explosive. The new procedures could mean that children who come from homes used to make meth won't be allowed to bring any personal belongings, not even a teddy bear, because they could be toxic. The procedures also will establish when children from meth homes should receive medical testing to determine their exposure to toxins. Daniels also announced: A new partnership with state universities that is intended to clear the Indiana State Police lab's backlog of 7,500 cases. Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis is creating a forensic science program in which students will be trained to do work at law enforcement labs. Those students will then be available for internships at the state police lab -- under the direction of existing staff -- to clear the backlog. Eric Lawrence, director of forensic analysis for the Indiana State Police, said that could take up to 18 months. Eventually, other universities could also be involved in the project. That the Indiana Prosecuting Attorneys Council is developing an e-mail notification system to connect officials in counties with the highest number of meth cases to state police labs. Daniels said that will help the lab prioritize its work and eliminate tests that are no longer needed because defendants have pleaded guilty. Jackson County Sheriff Jerry Hounshel, who attended yesterday's press conference, said the proposals will be a tremendous help to local officials, who rely on the lab to process evidence to make arrests and prosecute cases. "The governor has stepped up to the plate," said Hounshel, who has met with Daniels to talk with him about Southern Indiana's meth problem. "This is not going to be a 24-hour turnaround. But we think this will help." Knox County Sheriff Steve Luce said local officials appreciate the governor's action. State police raided 51 meth labs in his county during the first eight months of 2004, the second most in the state. "This drug is moving so fast," Luce said. "We as a community and a state have to also move fast." - --- MAP posted-by: Josh