editorial comment Thank God we have a new drug crisis...paraphernalia does not remember any panick attacks since the scourge of ecstasy a few years back. Got to keep the dope dogs busy!

The crippling reach of methamphetamine abuse has become the nation's leading drug problem affecting local law enforcement agencies, according to a survey of 500 sheriff's departments in 45 states.

More than half of the sheriffs interviewed for a National Association of Counties survey released yesterday said they considered meth the most serious problem facing their departments.

''We're finding out that this is bigger problem than we thought," said Executive Director Larry Naake. ''Folks at the state and federal level need to know about this."

About 90 percent of those interviewed reported increases in meth-related arrests in their counties during the last three years.

The arrests also have swamped agencies that assist with caring for children whose parents are addicted and with cleaning up toxic chemicals left by meth cookers.

The report comes after the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy restated its stance that marijuana is the nation's most substantial drug problem. Federal estimates count 15 million marijuana users and 1 million who might use meth.

Dave Murray, a policy analyst for the White House, said he understands that the meth problem is serious and substantial but disagreed that it is an epidemic.

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