It destroys individuals and families, and drains our health care, child protection and criminal justice systems of money and resources. To see the problem at its worst, we in Washington needn t look far. King County ranks third among the nation s counties for its growing heroin problem.
Pierce County is said to have the single worst methamphetamine-lab epidemic in America.
Meth is also the state s fastest-growing illegal drug problem. More potent and addictive than speed its cousin from the 1960s and 70s meth has been linked to a great deal of violent and property crime. It is a relatively cheap street drug, but is often used in large quantities, so costs mount quickly. Chronic meth users seldom hold good jobs, so many finance their habit illegally. These numbers have led some including members of the law enforcement and criminal justice communities to support changing our current approach to drug abuse.