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