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.
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin