Cutbacks force retreat in war on meth

Source: Associated Press

ST. LOUIS -- Police and sheriff's departments in states that produce much of the nation's methamphetamine have made a sudden retreat in the war on meth, at times virtually abandoning pursuit of the drug because they can no longer afford to clean up the toxic waste generated by labs.

Despite abundant evidence that the meth trade is flourishing, many law enforcement agencies have called off tactics that have been used for years to confront drug makers: sending agents undercover, conducting door-to-door investigations and setting up stakeouts at pharmacies to catch people buying large amounts of cold medicine.

The steep cutbacks began after the federal government in February canceled a program that provided millions of dollars to help local agencies dispose of seized labs. Since then, an Associated Press analysis shows, the number of labs seized has plummeted by a third in some key meth-producing states and two-thirds in at least one, Alabama.

The trend is almost certain to continue unless more states find a way to replace the federal money or to conduct cheaper cleanups.

Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/08/10/2352847/ap-impact-cutbacks-force-retreat.html

:eyes:

than crazy meth makers.

How many meth labs do you suppose are in teabaggers neighborhoods?

Public services will be cut until there is no longer a police department or fire department.

They'll just be poorly equipped and still face rage from right wingers for being a waste of taxpayer dollars because they're too stupid to understand what "volunteer" means.

When its so much easier to bring the heat on some of them damn pot smokers?

Generally, I'm against the War on Drugs, but the prospect of states quashing meth investigations is as grim as hearing that the FBI no longer pursues serial killers.

Meth is a scourge.