Fortunately, Gov. Jon Huntsman's anti-meth spending plan wisely recognizes the dangers. He is asking legislators to spend $10.2 million to fight meth, including $2.5 million to get 600 more addicted women and their children into on-demand residential treatment centers. These women know they can't beat their addiction alone and are desperate for help that their government can and should provide.

Since 2001 methamphetamine, a super-stimulant that can be almost immediately and always relentlessly addictive, has become the No. 1 culprit among illegal drugs in Utah. Publicly funded treatment centers have seen a 400 percent increase in admissions in 11 years.

Meth makes its victims feel energetic, even euphoric. They are sleepless for days and have little appetite. They can study, exercise, do household chores and take care of children, seemingly without effort - until they crash and then need another fix. In a matter of months, once healthy young women are rail-thin and appear years older. Without treatment, some will die.

Meth exacts a terrible toll on the victims' children, as well. Sixty percent of women in treatment have at least one child. Meth was a factor in 53 percent of children taken from their mothers and placed in foster care in the past six months.

The second prong of Huntsman's plan - $2 million for an anti-meth ad campaign - is also a much-needed component.

A recurrent story among victims is that they didn't know how dangerous even a single meth high can be. They only wanted to lose weight or get through a busy period at school or at home.

Young women, especially, need to know the facts, and Huntsman's education campaign can help provide them.

Lesser amounts of the total would go to expand a law enforcement task force and a statewide gang task force. Utah drug courts, shown to be highly effective as an alternative to jail or prison, would also get a $2 million boost.

Huntsman's plan won't stop the terrible onslaught of meth, but can slow it down. Legislators should support it.