Rural areas around Shawnee could benefit from legislation introduced by U.S. Rep. Brad Carson, D-Oklahoma, to help cope with the escalating national methamphetamine epidemic.

The Rural Safety and Law Enforcement Improvement Act introduced Friday by the District 2 congressman would provide grants to law enforcement agencies to hire, train and retain officers and to acquire technology and equipment.

"(Dealing with meth labs is) too important to eastern Oklahoma as well as many other rural areas," said Karen Campbell, Carson's legislative director Wednesday.

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