Meth fight Carnahan seeking legislative action

by The Associated Press

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. Missouri's growing methamphetamine problem is
dangerous both for law enforcement and for those who use the drug. So Gov.
Mel Carnahan wants lawmakers to take steps next session to crack down on
the growing meth trade.

Drug Enforcement Administration special agent John Cornille knows about the
danger: the Springfield based agent was injured during a raid when he
opened a baby food jar containing methamphetamine.

"I cracked the lid of the baby food jar and it took my breath away and sent
me to the hospital," Cornille said Monday, during Missouri's first
statewide meeting of law enforcement officers to discuss methamphetamine.

He was not seriously injured, but Cornille's story is an example of how
common household items can be used to store and manufacture
methamphetamine. Drain cleaner, matches and cold medicine contain some of
the key ingredients in methamphetamine, which gives users a powerful rush,
but can also lead to erratic or violent behavior.

Carnahan, speaking to more than 150 law enforcement officers on Monday,
said the Legislature should take steps next year to deal with the rise of
the methamphetamine trade in Missouri. Specific steps should be recommended
by the statewide meeting, the governor said in an interview.

"There are some pretty stark statistics, and combined with the addictive
nature of the drug, I believe the Legislature will respond very quickly,"
Carnahan told The Associated Press.

"There will (be) some strategies that will be developed," Carnahan said.
"We'll push forward with those. It will affect both the legislative and
appropriations sides at the state level."

Asked what he thought the Legislature should focus on when dealing with the
methamphetamine problem, Cornille said he agreed with the idea of special
"fast track" prosecutions that would make it tougher for methamphetamine
producers to make bail and quickly get back into business.

"We need that tool next year," Attorney General Jay Nixon said. Cornille
said Nixon's suggestion was something that caught his attention.

"We can have 280 someodd arrests or 400 someodd labs or whatever the
situation is, but in order for the court to process them that's the key,"
Cornille said.