Pubdate: Mon, 31 Jul 2006
Source: Hickory Daily Record (NC)
Copyright: 2006 Hickory Daily Record
Contact:  http://www.hickoryrecord.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1109
Author: Jennifer Menster
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/walters.htm (Walters, John)

LOCAL, FEDERAL OFFICIALS TO DISCUSS METH PROBLEM TUESDAY

LENOIR - The federal government wants to help local law enforcement 
battle the war on drugs.

John Walters, the director of the White House Office of National Drug 
Control Policy, will meet with area sheriffs and police chiefs 
Tuesday at the Caldwell County Sheriff's Office in Lenoir. The focus 
of the roundtable discussion will be the methamphetamine problem.

Walters is considered the nation's "Drug Czar," according to a news 
release from Congressman Patrick McHenry's office. Walters 
coordinates all aspects of federal drug programs and spending.

McHenry is vice chairman of the House Government Reform Subcommittee 
on Justice and Drug Policy and is leading the fight against meth in 
Western North Carolina, the release stated.

"(Walters) is coming from the White House to meet with our local law 
enforcement officials and get a 'facts on the ground' assessment of 
our region's methamphetamine epidemic," McHenry stated. "This 
roundtable will bring together national and local leaders to develop 
successful strategies for stamping out meth in Western North Carolina."

There have been no reported cases of meth labs found in Catawba 
County this year. On Thursday, a meth lab was discovered in McDowell County.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman