More money to fight methamphetamine has become the battle cry for many of Missouri's congressional delegation.

Sens. John Ashcroft and Christopher "Kit" Bond and Reps. Jo Ann Emerson, Kenny Hulshof, James Talent, Roy Blunt, Ike Skelton, Pat Danner and Karen McCarthy last week sent a letter to the chief House and Senate negotiators on an appropriations measure. The lawmakers called for "the highest funding level possible" for programs to fight the meth epidemic.

The lawmakers said meth has "wreaked havoc" in Missouri, and attacking the problem remains one of their top legislative priorities.

The lawmakers said: "In our view, the severe and growing threat posed by meth requires a responsible increase in meth-related spending. We urge you to continue to direct as many federal resources as possible to combating the meth crisis affecting Missouri and the nation."

The lawmakers said they were pleased by Congress' decision to fully fund President Clinton's request for $24.5 million for 100 new Drug Enforcement Administration agents to help address the growth of methamphetamine trafficking and abuse in Missouri and the nation.

In addition to other funding, Ashcroft and the other lawmakers want the government to earmark at least $38 million from the Community-Oriented Policing Services program to help fund anti-meth activities at the state and local levels.

Ashcroft has said the focus of federal funding should be on law enforcement efforts and not anti-meth ad campaigns. Clinton earlier this year called for $2 billion in television ads over the next five years.

Ashcroft, who is considering a run for president in 2000, has said the money could better be spent on law enforcement.

In fiscal 1987, 33 percent of the nation's drug-control budget was devoted to international and interdiction programs. By 1995, the percentage had dropped to just 12 percent, Ashcroft said.

An Ashcroft aide said Monday that last year's budget included $195 million for anti-drug advertising. The budget for this fiscal year includes another $195 million. The fiscal year began Thursday.

Bond announced Monday that a House-Senate conference committee had agreed to provide $400,000 to train Missouri firefighters to deal with hazardous materials used in the production of methamphetamine.

The funding would initiate a national pilot program to train firefighters and emergency personnel in rural and suburban fringe areas, Bond said.

"Meth is a scourge on our state," said Bond. "Training firefighters and emergency personnel is an important component in our effort to assist local communities as they fight this menace."