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| SC sheriffs scramble to clean up meth labs |
| By westport-news.com - AP |
| Published: 05/23/2011 |
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GREENVILLE, S.C. (AP) — The expiration of federal funds used to help clean up meth labs around the state has left some South Carolina sheriffs scrambling, a newspaper reported Monday. Last year, South Carolina received about $727,000 of $10 million distributed nationally by the Drug Enforcement Administration, which for years had paid for meth cleanups across the country through its Community Oriented Policing Services Methamphetamine Program, The Greenville News reported. But in February, in the run up to a narrowly averted government shutdown, the agency said it could no longer pay to clean up labs, leaving South Carolina's authorities to find alternatives. Since then, sheriffs have been dipping into contingency funds and forfeited drug money for the labs, which leave behind hazardous waste that can cost up to $3,500 per site cleanup. To dispose of meth labs in accordance with state regulations, authorities hire licensed contractors, who put on hazmat suits to collect harmful waste that can explode. Jeff Moore with the South Carolina Sheriffs' Association said deputies could eventually be forced to choose between letting labs cook and distribute meth or taking them down and blocking the scene while awaiting cleanup funds. "It can come to that — and it will come to that somewhere," he said. Sheriffs hope Congress will restore federal funding, and a spokesman said U.S. Rep. Trey Gowdy is working with the Justice Department to determine why the cleanup program took a hit. In the meantime, sheriffs are doing their best to fight the problem and stay under budget. Read More. |
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