Pubdate:  Thu, 31 Jul 1997

SACRAMENTO, Calif.(BUSINESS WIRE)July 29, 1997Michael  Bradbury,
District Attorney, Ventura County and chair of the California  Council on
Criminal Justice today released a cuttingedge guidebook  for local
communities on the critical issue of children and  methamphetamine labs. 

The guidebook was a product of collaboration with the Governor's  Office of
Criminal Justice Planning and an advisory group of experts  from social
services, law enforcement, the medical community,  district attorneys'
offices, and other involved organizations. 

"Tragically, children are becoming the newest victims of this  dangerous and
deadly drug.  Under the Governor's leadership, California   has taken a
leadership role on establishing statewide protocols on  how to deal with this
critical policy issue," Bradbury said. 

In 1996, more than 850 clandestine methamphetamine laboratories  were raided
statewide by the California Department of Justice.  This  is up significantly
from 465 labs in 1995.  Law enforcement reports  documents that children are
being endangered by exposure to deadly  chemicals and explosions, not to
mention neglect. 

The Governor's Office of Criminal Justice Planning will  designate $3.6
million for project implementation to address this  problem.  The funds will
be authorized over a threeyear period in  Fiscal Year 199798.  The goal of
the project is to stop the  victimization and further abuse of California's
children. 

CONTACT:  

California Council on Criminal Justice 

Suzanne Miller, 916/3249136 

KEYWORD: CALIFORNIA 

BW0228  JUL 30,1997