NORTHEAST LEADS STATE IN METH ARRESTS

Northeast Wyoming is facing one of the state's toughest fights
against methamphetamine, according to a Health Department study that
also suggests the struggle may have entered a stalemate.

"We kind of have the indicators of the problem leveling off," said
Ann Reyes, the report's author and a Substance Abuse Division deputy
administrator. "The problem is (that) where they've leveled off is
pretty high."

State lawmakers commissioned the $100,000 "Methamphetamine Initiative
Planning Study" to examine the scope of the state's meth problem,
investigate treatment availability and evaluate responses to the problem.

The report found that Northeast Wyoming - comprising Campbell, Crook,
Johnson, Sheridan and Weston counties - led the state in the number
of methamphetamine arrests made by Division of Criminal Investigation
drug teams.

Furthermore, the area lags in local treatment options, according to
the report. Campbell, Crook and Weston counties sent the second
largest number of people per capita to meth treatment, while agencies
in the region treated the fourth fewest number of addicts. In all,
nearly 40 percent of the area's addicts had to go outside the 6th
Judicial District to get help.