Pubdate: Wed, 06 Jul 2005 Source: Lexington Herald-Leader (KY) Copyright: 2005 Lexington Herald-Leader Contact: http://www.kentucky.com/mld/heraldleader/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/240 Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/opinion.htm (Opinion) THE SCOURGE OF METH State Needs Full-Scale Campaign Against Damaging Drug In Daviess County, otherwise known for barbecue, a new product has taken hold: methamphetamine. Daviess County Sheriff Keith Cain told the National Sheriff's Association in Louisville last week that about 700 meth labs have been discovered in his county since 1997. Keep in mind, the verb here is "discovered." Presumably, because small, highly mobile meth labs are hard to track down, many more existed in that one county. A survey released yesterday by the National Association of Counties indicates Daviess County's meth production is probably closer to the rule than the exception. Meth was defined as the No. 1 illegal drug in 58 percent of the counties surveyed, where it contributes to increases in burglary and robbery. That's why Congress should enact legislation hammered out last week to limit access to over-the-counter cold medications that contain one of meth's key ingredients. The current version also funds a national center to research treatment for meth abuse and provides $25 million for local law enforcement and federal prosecutors to target meth manufacturers and dealers. The Kentucky General Assembly should be commended for enacting legislation this spring to limit access to the medications, joining several other states. Frustrated cold sufferers with no evil intent will endure some inconvenience, and retailers will have an added expense. But limiting access to this devastating drug is worth it. That won't be enough, though, to combat a drug that is spreading rapidly, geographically and within the population. Consider some recent items, in addition to the Daviess County numbers: . In Fulton County, the sheriff arrested his own son for meth production twice in one month. . A Minnesota report says meth has overtaken marijuana as the most popular drug among teenagers there. . Welfare workers in Kentucky are now trained to detect signs that children have been exposed to meth production or use in their homes. . A seminar at the University of Kentucky Sanders-Brown Center on Aging included a session on older adults victimized by meth makers. . The McCracken County Sheriff's office reports that crystal meth, a purer and more deadly form made in Mexican labs, is moving into the state. This is serious business that demands a serious, full-scale adequately funded response. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin