Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - March 20, 1998
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Locke signs legislation to crack down on methamphetamine operators

OLYMPIA - Gov. Gary Locke today will sign into law three measures to get tough on methamphetamine lab operators. Under the new laws, methamphetamine manufacturers would face stiffer penalties.

"Methamphetamine is a growing threat to the safety of our citizens," said Locke. "It is time we treat those who produce this dangerous drug like the dangerous criminals they are, which is exactly what these measures will do. "

The governor's request bill, House Bill 2628, sponsored by Rep. Mark Schoesler (R - Ritzville) and Sen. Calvin Goings (D - Puyallup), more than doubles the standard sentencing range for manufacturing methamphetamine from about two years to about five on the first offense.

Senate Bill 6139, sponsored by Sen. Bob Oke (R - Port Orchard), increases sentences for making or selling amphetamine. The drug is often the product of a meth lab that didn't get the chemical reaction the operator intended.

House Bill 2791, also sponsored by Rep. Schoesler, allows local governments to use funds from their toxics control accounts for assessment and cleanup of meth lab sites. The governor vetoed a section on this measure that makes it a "strike" under the "three strikes" law to operate a meth lab.

"If we start making strikes out of drug crimes we're starting down a long slippery slope," Locke said. "The three strikes you're out law has been effective in permanently putting the most dangerous criminals behind bars, but applying it to new crimes every year as if it were the cure-all for every crime in society could jeopardize the three strikes law."


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There has been a growing number of cases of meth use in Washington state. The number of methamphetamine addicts seeking treatment in the state increased 500 percent between 1992 and 1995. Increasing numbers of traffic deaths are due to driving under the influence of methamphetamine. The Washington State Patrol also investigated 102 meth labs and seized over 50,000 grams of the drug in 1996 compared with 26 labs and 3,000 grams seized in 1991.

Methamphetamine is an extremely addictive drug and its use can cause violent behavior. Meth labs also are dangerous because they contain hazardous chemicals that can damage the environment and jeopardize the safety of law enforcement officers and the public.

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