Pubdate: Wed, 23 Nov 2005
Source: News-Press (FL)
Copyright: 2005 The News-Press
Contact:  http://www.news-press.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1133
Author: Burt L. Saunders
Note: Burt L. Saunders is a Florida senator
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

"ICE" AGE THREATENS FLORIDA

Periodically, a new illegal drug craze sweeps the nation. A few years
ago, crack cocaine was the drug of choice. Today, illegally
manufactured and distributed methamphetamine is sweeping the nation,
leaving behind a trail of violence and human misery. The problem has
grown so severe in some western states that over 50 percent of the
arrests are for the illegal production, sale or use of
methamphetamines.

In just the last four years, the number of known Florida
methamphetamine labs uncovered by law enforcement has increased from
30 to over 350 per year. Though this wave of criminal activity has
only begun to touch Florida, law enforcement officials know that this
problem will sweep across the state. There are many reasons for this
concern.

First and foremost is the ease with which criminals are able to
manufacture methamphetamine. Anyone can obtain from the Internet or
through general conversation with drug-savvy criminals the simple
recipe for cooking up methamphetamine. Crystal methamphetamine (also
known as "ice," "crystal" or "glass") is easily manufactured from over
the counter cold medications (pseudoephedrine) and other common
household chemicals using a variety of simple chemical processes.

Another ready supply of methamphetamine comes from Mexican, Central
American and U.S. gangs. The drugs are cheap and readily available.
Drug users will usually turn to the cheapest and most readily
available drugs for their illicit consumption. Methamphetamine
production is not only simple, but potentially dangerous.

Drug Scourge

Frequently, drug abusers will manufacture methamphetamine in
apartments or other residences. Once those tenants have left, innocent
home buyers will purchase property dangerous to their health due to
the toxic chemicals permeating the structure as a by product of
methamphetamine production. Law enforcement officials called in as
first responders to these facilities often find themselves ill from
exposure to these dangerous chemicals. A further threat is that
methamphetamine users are often extremely violent.

Methamphetamine production, sale and use are often associated with
violent crime. Law enforcement officials say, violent gangs such as
the Vice Lords and Surenos 13 often commit violent crimes. This has
become particularly problematic in Central Florida and concern is that
this will spread throughout the state if law enforcement is not
properly prepared to combat this growing menace.

As a first step, the Florida Legislature in 2005 required that common
cold medicines containing ephedrine/pseudoephedrine be placed behind
the counter. The amounts sold to individual customers has been
restricted. Though this is a first step in reducing the availability
of the raw materials for methamphetamine production, this is only a
first step.

The Florida Legislature must provide additional tools and resources to
law enforcement if we are to prevent the production and sale of
methamphetamine from becoming as significant a problem in Florida as
it has become in many western states.

I am reviewing recent Oklahoma legislation that will further reduce
the prevalence of methamphetamine. The Legislature must also protect
home buyers from the ill effects of methamphetamine production where
homes were used as labs. Additional law enforcement and further use of
drug courts specializing in these crimes will also reduce the
potential human misery from this terrible drug.

- -- Burt L. Saunders is Florida senator, District 37, 3301 E. Tamiami
Trail, Administration Building, Suite 304, Naples, FL 34112.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin