Law Enforcement Group Says Meth a Major Problem

Local officials across the country agree that methamphetamine fuels a range of crimes and social welfare problems.

Officials from the National Association of Counties released results from a survey of 500 local authorities in 45 states that collectively stated meth as a growing problem, stemming from an increased focus on homeland security, leaving little funding for everyday policing.

The group criticized the Bush Administration’s drug-fighting efforts as focusing more on marijuana than on meth. Members also support restoring financing for an $804 million drug-fighting program that is currently scheduled to lose funding in 2006.

Of the survey’s respondents, 87 percent reported increases in meth-related arrests in the past three years and 58 percent said meth was their agency’s biggest drug problem.