GOOD NEWS, BAD NEWS: FUNDING WILL HELP, BUT IT HIGHLIGHTS MISSOURI'S BIG METH PROBLEMS

Cape Girardeau County Sheriff John Jordan has been chosen to coordinate the distribution of $2.4 million in federal funds to Missouri law enforcement agencies to combat methamphetamine.

This is certainly an honor to our sheriff. It's also an indication that Southeast Missouri has so much experience with meth that Sheriff Jordan is considered an expert on the highly addictive drug.

Missouri is one of four states designated to receive the funding. Availability of ingredients and other factors combine to make Missouri home to a high number of meth manufacturers. Many of these labs are found in neighborhoods or even trunks of cars.

The additional dollars should help law enforcement officers in more rural areas combat this growing problem. Meth is not only very addictive, the manufacturing process is potentially explosive and hazardous.

More dollars can translate into more officers and greater resources in this war on meth.