EUGENE, Ore. -- Tough laws passed by the last Legislature to curb metal thieves didn't solve the problem. By some estimates, thefts totaled four and one half million dollars in the first half of last year alone, often by thieves selling the metal to feed drug habits.

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The Oregon Legislature.

Thefts have ranged from cemetery vases to phone lines to a 200-300-pound bronze statue from the University of Oregon.

This year's legislature finds a number of lawmakers and interest groups drafting more bills they hope will curb the thefts.

Although metal prices have dropped to less than half of its peak price from summer, those involved know that when the market rebounds, the epidemic will be renewed.