Nickles pledges to work for more meth cleanup funds

TULSA, Okla. (AP) -- Sen. Don Nickles announced the release Friday of $5 million targeted at cleaning up methamphetamine labs nationwide and pledged to seek more cleanup funds.<br><br>Nickles, R-Okla.,

Friday, May 19th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

TULSA, Okla. (AP) -- Sen. Don Nickles announced the release Friday of $5 million targeted at cleaning up methamphetamine labs nationwide and pledged to seek more cleanup funds.

Nickles, R-Okla., met with state and federal law officials in Tulsa about dealing with the toxic mess created by meth production.

An average of $2,500 is required to clean up an average lab, he said. Five to six pounds of hazardous waste are produced with every
pound of the drug.

"Our law enforcement officials have a daunting task," Nickles said. "Meth production is quick, mobile and inexpensive. I will
continue working to ensure we at the federal level do what we can to assist in this very important effort."

Nickles said the Department of Justice released the new funds a week ago to help cover cleanup costs nationwide.

Oklahoma ranks third in the nation in the number of methamphetamine labs. Only California and Missouri have more.