Among men arrested in Salt Lake City, 26 percent tested positive for the drug in 2003, the last year for which statistics are available.

The NACo survey results seem to be at odds with national drug-control policy, which focuses on marijuana, given its role as a gateway drug.

"On the national level, the federal government still considers marijuana as the number one drug problem in America, but county law enforcement officials have a different perspective on this ranking," according to the report.

The NACo survey of police agencies found:

• 58 percent say meth was their largest drug problem.

• 87 percent report increases in meth-related arrests the past three years.

• Half estimated that one in five current jail inmates were incarcerated for meth-related crimes.

• Meth-related robberies and burglaries went up 70 percent, while domestic violence increased 62 percent.

Atack said his team seizes more marijuana each year, but that the drug does not cause near as many problems as meth.

"We don't see families torn apart. We don't see the violence. We don't see the robberies and the burglaries," he said. "Meth is definitely worse on society than (marijuana)."

In addition to conducting surveys on the criminal effects of meth, the association looked at the pervasive impact meth has on children, questioning 303 county child welfare agencies in 13 states. About 40 percent of those agencies say meth abuse accounts for most children in foster care or other out-of-home placements. Almost 60 percent say the drug makes family reunification more difficult.

Utah was not among those states surveyed because county government does not provide child and family services. But the Utah Department of Human Services is well acquainted with meth addiction, saying it is a significant factor in the number of children being removed from their homes.

---

E-mail: romboy@desnews.com