Indiana is ranked second in the nation when it comes to busting meth labs.

In fact, almost 1,100 meth labs were dismantled last year.

The health department says clean-ups cost from $10,000 to over $30,000 a property.

Now, State Senator Joe Zakas is taking action to help landlords and neighbors.

An Elkhart woman says she spent every last dime she had, and a Mishawaka neighborhood feels empty as a nice house has been vacant for years.

Since the meth problem is so severe in Indiana, Senator Zakas is asking legislators to look at ways the state can help landlords who own contaminated property where meth was manufactured without their knowledge.

Many say this is help that's needed desperately.

For a few years now, a neighborhood off Dragoon trail has felt empty.

Kathy VanSickle says, “You never want to see a house sitting vacant. It's a shame because it's a really nice neighborhood you know. It effects our property values.”

To neighbors and to realtors knowledge meth was produced on the property.

Realtors say the home did need a clean-up, which meant big bucks.

Marc Rockwell and Kathy Vansickle are now hopeful the state is starting to see the severity of meth labs and the cost of clean-up in homes.

Senator Zakas is asking for a study committee to investigate what role the state should play so that homes can be re-occupied.

Rockwell says, “Helping people buy them, that's really good. I'm pretty proud of that for the state of Indiana.”

Unfortunately for people like Margaret Delucenay in Elkhart, help was needed over a year ago.

Delucenay says, “It was very expensive. It took my life savings. I have no money in the bank now and I don't think I'll ever catch up.”

Police came to her home on suspicions her roommate was doing meth. It turns out, they found trace elements of the drug.