The Des Moines Register, Tuesday, March 24, 1998, Page 6M
'Confront the meth problem'Democrats urge plan to crack down on drug operations
By SHIRLEY SALEMY
REGISTER STAFF WRITER
Statehouse Democrats announced a $4 million proposal
Monday to combat methamphetamine use.
"We hope that our action will force this Legislature to confront
the meth problem and put some teeth in our meth-fighting efforts," House Minority
Leader David Schrader of Monroe said at a news conference.
Schrader said the production, distribution and use of meth is "the
most serious crime problem facing Iowa today."
Neither the governor nor Statehouse Republicans, he said, have done
anything meaningful" to attack the problem. That comment, however, was disputed
by Republicans.
"We have been working closely with local and federal officials to
address this problem," said Eric Woolson, spokesman for Gov. Terry Branstad.
"Everyone knows it's a serious problem. It's unfortunate the Democrats would
want to try to politicize this in an election year."
Republican House Speaker Ron Corbett of Cedar Rapids also questioned
the Democrats' motives.
"It's pretty late in the budgeting process for a proposal like
this to make it through the cut," Corbett said, adding that Democrats should have
made the proposal in January. He said, however, that he believes some of the items
in the proposal are worth examining in the future.
Democrats will try to win approval of their proposal during the
upcoming debate of the state' s budget bills. The money is available for the
proposal, Schrader argued, because the state presently has a budget surplus.
He said he wants to make policy, not play politics.
The drug, also known as crank, ice and speed, first flourished with the
motorcycle gangs of the 1960s and 1970s. But authorities here became especially
alarmed in 1994, when drug users started showing up in traffic stops, emergency rooms and
schools.
The proposal by the House Democrats includes money to create a
15-member "meth strike force" to further investigate clandestine meth labs and
people involved in manufacturing the drug.
The plan also would establish a grant program so local law authorities
can get more training, more staff members and more equipment to fight meth.
"The training is needed," Marion County Sheriff Marvin Van
Haaften said at the news conference. "It's a new phenomenon. It's
dangerous. A lot of these meth dealers are extremely paranoid because of their drug
use. A lot of weapons are involved."
The Democrats' plan would also boost funding for meth-addiction
treatment and would target teenagers with an educational campaign.
Democratic Rep. Paul Bell of Newton, a police officer, said a new
approach to the methamphetamine problem is needed. Legislators have passed more laws
and stricter laws, he said.
"But it's not working," Bell said. "Anybody can
see it's not working."
Reporter Shirley Salerny can be
reached at salemys@news.dmreg.com
or (515) 284-8131.
The Des Moines Register
Tuesday, March 24, 1998, Page 6M
letters@news.dmreg.com