Cantwell seeks more funding for meth control

Trafficking of narcotic a statewide, national problem, spokesperson for senator said

MOSES LAKE — A spokesperson for U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell said that the lawmaker has asked President George W. Bush to double the funds to help local law enforcement agencies in their fight against methamphetamine.

"Meth is a serious problem that needs serious attention," said Sam Hudzik, from the senator's office in Washington, D.C.

The request has a goal to increase funding to around $100 million in the Department of Justice's Byrne Grant Program, which distributes federal funds to state and local law enforcement agencies to fight meth abuse.

Hudzik said the senator wanted to help reverse a decline in federal support for the fight against meth. In 2005, Washington state received $2 million in federal funding, as opposed to $4 million in 2002.

In a press release, Cantwell said the officers on the frontlines needed the support of the federal government, instead of shifting the burden to local communities.

"We want a stable meth funding," Hudzik said.

The money would go for protective equipment for officers and firefighters that have to do the meth busts as well as the cleanups of meth sites.

"There are many fires at meth sites," Hudzik explained. "That is where the firefighters come in."

The funding to fight methamphetamine traffic is no place to look for funding cuts, Hudzik said.

In the letter to President Bush, Cantwell said the state is an example of the need for additional funds. The state ranks sixth in meth production despite ranking 35th in general population.

"My Washington constituents rightly demand that we do more on the federal level to help state and local law enforcement officials make real progress in this fight," she wrote.