Pubdate: Tuew, 02 Jan 2007
Source: Denver Post (CO)
Copyright: 2007 The Denver Post Corp
Contact:  http://www.denverpost.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/122
Author: Howard Pankratz
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

REPORT SAYS DENVER MAJOR DISTRIBUTION CENTER FOR METH

Denver has become a principal U.S. distribution center  for
methamphetamine, a task force said in its first  annual report Tuesday.

The report said that the city's prominence in meth  distribution is
likely due to the intersection of major  highways and the high levels
of trafficking from  Mexico.

Colorado's Methamphetamine Task Force is headed by  state Attorney
General John Suthers and Lori Moriarity  of the North Metro Drug Task
Force.

The report also said that the meth-use problem is  becoming
particularly acute in rural areas of Colorado,  where there has been a
7 percent to 22 percent increase  in meth-treatment admissions.

"Colorado has a higher percentage of persons aged 12 or  older
reporting past-year methamphetamine use from  2002-2005, as compared
to the national average," the  report added.

One bit of good news in the report is that the number  of meth labs in
Colorado has decreased in the past  three years. It said the decrease
is likely due to  stricter laws and better communication among law
enforcement officials and Colorado communities.
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MAP posted-by: Derek