Just before it broke for the holidays, Congress passed a bill that severely cut federal funding of drug task forces nationwide. Programs that combat illegal drug trafficking, substance abuse, gang activity and violent crime were significantly affected.

"In Nebraska, the money has supported nine regional drug task forces and one statewide drug task force since the early 1990s... The cutbacks put in jeopardy about three dozen investigators, said Mike Behm of the Nebraska Crime Commission. In addition, the task forces face uncertainty."

The Byrne anti-drug grants were one of the most affected, being cut from $525 million in 2007 to just $170.4 million in 2008. The Bush administration said the cuts were made because the program has not proven effective.

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Labels: funding, laws, task_forces

A new law enacted in Kentucky could cause people who manufacture methamphetamine to lose their homes or vehicles. The law requires a "full cleanup" and applies to any structure in which more than 2 ounces of meth have been manufactured.

"A full cleanup means everything inside the house has to be thrown away… The price is $10,000 for an average house. However, depending on the size, the price could reach $20,000."

The process of manufacturing meth leaves behind residue that poses health and environmental threats to any future occupants of the home, and only certified contractors can conduct the cleanup.

Labels: health_problems, laws, meth

One of the ingredients used to make methamphetamine can be found in an over-the-counter drug. In 2005, the state of Iowa limited the availability of that drug in hopes of curbing meth production in the state. It worked for a while.

"'The law has been real effective, but like any criminal, you give the bad guys long enough and they'll find ways around the law,' said Darren Grimshaw, a police lieutenant in Burlington..."

Before the 2005 law was enacted, effectively limiting how much of a particular over-the-counter drug could be purchased by one person in a 30-day period, police were seizing 25 to 30 meth labs a year. The total dropped dramatically to three to five a year after the law, but is beginning to rise again. The state is now considering enacting a law that would allow electronic tracking of the over-the-counter drug's purchase.

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Labels: laws, meth, rise_in_use