News Releases
Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - October 7, 1998
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Governor Locke will propose new crackdown on meth labs

OLYMPIA — Gov. Locke will announce a major new initiative to crack down on methamphetamine labs during a stop on Thursday in Marysville, where a special team from the Washington State Patrol will break down a seized vehicle that was used as a mobile laboratory in the manufacture of the dangerous drug.

The Governor will make his announcement at 3 p.m. Thursday (October 8) at the Washington State Patrol headquarters at 2700 116th N.E. in Marysville. The news media is invited to observe while the Patrol's Statewide Incident Response Team, wearing protective equipment, removes dangerous chemicals from the vehicle used in the manufacture of the drug known as "meth."

Locke said he is very concerned about the growing number of meth labs appearing throughout the state, noting that they present a double threat to the public safety. Not only is meth a dangerous, addictive drug that makes users violent, but the chemicals used to make it are highly toxic to people nearby.

"Last year, at my urging, the Legislature more than doubled the sentences for people convicted on manufacturing methamphetamine," Locke said. "But stiffer penalties will not stem the growing hazard these meth labs present if law enforcement does not have the resources it needs to arrest the dealers and shut down the labs."

Locke said the legislative proposal he will announce on Thursday is designed to meet that need, noting that every year the State Patrol has receives more calls from local law enforcement agencies seeking assistance in taking down meth labs.

To find the State Patrol office in Marysville, take Exit 202 off I-5, turn left, and travel west on 116th for a quarter mile. The Patrol office is a gray building on the left-hand side of the street.

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