Estimated read time: 1-2 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
It is good to see Utah's sick meth cops getting some help, albeit on a limited scale.
An Eyewitness News investigation in 2005 revealed an alarming number of health problems among Utah police officers who investigated methamphetamine labs during the 80's and 90's. Back then, they didn't fully understand the dangers of their work, and many ended up critically ill. Some have died prematurely.
Now, a modest grant from the Utah Attorney General's Office's is paying for treatment at a unique bio-cleansing facility in Orem. The afflicted officers are undergoing physical therapy including a process to "sweat" toxins out of their bodies. The program is similar to one used by public safety workers in New York who worked at Ground Zero during 9-11.
Granted, the procedure isn't medically proven. Still, the afflicted officers report positive results . . . and that's good.
Meantime, a more thorough, two-year scientific study on their condition is yet to be completed. Until it is, and until the results actually show a connection between their ill-health and the work they did while investigating meth labs, the meth cops won't qualify for worker's compensation.
While KSL is glad to see them getting a degree of help, we look toward the day these public servants qualify for the benefits and the more extensive health care they deserve.
