Pubdate: Thu, 07 Feb 2002
Source: Denver Rocky Mountain News (CO)
Copyright: 2002, Denver Publishing Co.
Contact:  http://www.rockymountainnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/371
Author: John Sanko, News Capitol Bureau
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

BILL TARGETS DRUG LABS

Legislators Hear Tales Of Methamphetamine Made With Ingredients From 
Discount Stores

A $50 investment at the local drug store is all that's needed to produce an 
ounce of methamphetamine, lawmakers trying to stop Colorado's explosion of 
the illegal labs were told Wednesday.

A bill making it a felony to possess certain cold medicine and other 
products with the intent to brew methamphetamine had strong backing from 
police chiefs, sheriffs and the district attorneys' association.

"It's unusual for me to carry a bill that creates more prison beds," said 
Sen. Ken Gordon, D-Denver, the bill's sponsor. "But this is one of the 
highest priorities of law enforcement in the state right now.

"My son, a senior in high school, has friends who are addicted to it. It's 
a very terrible, very addictive drug."

Police and prosecutors told Senate committee members that meth labs were a 
major problem throughout the state, not only because of the drug, but also 
the potential for explosions and the hazardous waste they produce.

"Right now you can purchase anything you need at Wal-Mart and K-Mart for as 
little as $50 to create an ounce of methamphetamine," said Terry Curry, a 
detective sergeant with the El Paso County Sheriff's Department and a 
member of a metro anti-drug team.

Gordon delayed a vote on SB 50 until Monday to work on an amendment, but it 
appeared likely the measure will be sent to the Senate Appropriations 
Committee.

The bill's price tag of nearly $750,000 over two years could be a big 
stumbling block, supporters admitted.

The bill makes it a class 3 felony punishable by four to 12 years in prison 
and a fine of $3,000 to $750,000 to possess pseudoephedrine or 
phenylpropanolamine, principally cold medications, with intent to 
manufacture methamphetamine.

Thornton Police Sgt. Jim Gerhardt, a member of the North Metro Drug Task 
Force, said police were in a Thornton home on a drug lab bust as he was 
testifying. Another crew was cleaning up waste dumped from a meth lab in 
Adams County.

Denver Police spokesman Tony Lombard said there were two incidents 
involving meth labs in the city on Tuesday, one in a motel room and the 
other in a home where a lab exploded and caught fire.

"We had nine (labs) in 1999," Lombard said. "We had 22 in 2000 and 38 in 
2001 for a three-year total of 69. And we've had five this year so far, 
three of which were house fires with two deaths and two people burned with 
second degree burns."
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MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager