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Carnahan says meth still a "dangerous" enemy

Jefferson City was the site of Missouri's second "meth summit" today/Tuesday. Lee McGuire is in the state capital with more.

Missouri has one of the biggest meth problems of any state, and now it has one of the highest rates of meth arrests.

At the second annual meth summit, Governor Carnahan said new laws and tougher penalties are pushing meth out of Missouri, but he warned it's an ongoing fight.

Carnahan said nearly 500 people have called a state hotline since January to report meth production and abuse. Officials have made about 600 meth lab busts so far this year. In Jefferson City, Lee McGuire, KMOX News.

While last year's meth summit focused on what needed to be done in the drug fight, this time the emphasis was on how well the battle seems to be going.

Carnahan trumpeted the purchase of three mobile command units, and 20 explosion-proof containers to store confiscated chemicals. He said 600 meth lab busts so far this year is a big win.

Missouri has joined other midwestern states in a "Life-or-Meth" campaign to advertise the dangers of meth abuse. In Jefferson City, Lee McGuire, KMOX News.

Governor Carnahan's opening remarks summed up the problem:

Carnahan says the solution is increased cooperation between state agencies, tougher penalties for meth producers, public awareness of the drug's dangers, and more resources for law enforcement.

In Jefferson City, Lee McGuire, KMOX News.

Law enforcement officials attending the meth summit today/Tuesday heard Jay Nixon praise surrounding states for their help prosecuting Missouri's meth manufacturers. Lee McGuire has more from Jefferson City.

The Attorney General said that reciprocal agreements between Missouri counties and neighboring states have made a major difference in the meth fight.

Illinois and Iowa now collaborate with Missouri officials in prosecuting suspected meth manufacturers who jump state lines. Nixon says now the focus is on getting Missouri's other neighbors on board. In Jefferson City, Lee McGuire, KMOX News.

At the second annual meth summit, state senator Joe Maxwell and representative Robert Clayton said Missouri's new, tough meth laws are kicking meth out of Missouri.

But where is it going?

Joe Maxwell says the meth manufacturers just get out of town.

And Robert Clayton says the easiest place to go is right across the border.

In Jefferson City, Lee McGuire, KMOX News.