News Releases
Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - August 7, 2001
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Gov. Locke’s statement following King County methamphetamine summit

“Methamphetamine is the fastest growing, most menacing drug problem we face in Washington today. It is an epidemic that affects every part of our state – East and West, urban and rural.

“There has been a more than 50-fold increase in the number of methamphetamine labs discovered and destroyed in our state in the last ten years. In 1994 nearly 1,000 methamphetamine users were admitted to treatment, while last year there were 5,869 people admitted for treatment. Victims were from every county in the state.

“Most troubling, however, is the fact that 11% of our state’s high school seniors report they have used methamphetamine. That is a warning we must heed.

“State government has been working hard to fight the epidemic by making it a felony to sell methamphetamine ingredients with the intent of manufacturing the drug. The state has also limited sale and purchase of over-the-counter drugs used as ingredients in the manufacture of methamphetamine. In addition, the state has created a State Patrol lab response team to work with local law enforcement across the state, and increased funding to improve the Department of Ecology’s statewide cleanup response.

“We must be proactive and do more than simply give law enforcement new tools to crack down on offenders. To stop the epidemic of methamphetamine, we must include citizen education, community mobilization, better cleanup capability, greater access to treatment, and services to children found at methamphetamine lab sites.

“Federal partnerships are valuable in our fight, too. I encourage Congress to continue funding the Washington State Methamphetamine Initiative at the Senate’s $3 million level.

“I would like to the thank the law enforcement, public health, social service, emergency response and other professionals who are committed to halting the spread of this shameful epidemic in Washington state.”

Related Links:
- Washington State Patrol
- Washington State Department of Social and Health Services, Division of Alcohol and Substance Abuse
- Washington State Department of Ecology
- King County Meth Summit Starts Monday; Over 350 Participants Expected (King County Sherriff's Office)


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