Pubdate: Mon, 21 Feb 2005
Source: Ogdensburg Journal/Advance News (NY)
Copyright: 2005 Johnson Newspaper Corp.
Contact: : P.O. box 409 Ogdensburg NY 13669
Website: http://www.ogd.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/689
Author: Michael Gormley, Associated Press
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Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

STATE LAWMAKERS PUSH FOR CRACKDOWN ON METH

ALBANY, N.Y.- Methamphetamine, a scourge in rural areas where it is
made in secret labs and a club drug of choice in cities, is giving
Albany a rush as state legislators seek to crackdown on meth by
updating old laws.

Four meth labs were found and raided from 1989 to 1999 in New York. In
2003, 73 labs were raided, according to the Commission of
Investigation.

The bipartisan commission released a report to the legislature last
week calling for laws that will make it criminal to possess the
material used in making meth.

"There is strong evidence that the alarming jump in the number of
methamphetamine labs in New York state in recent years is directly
attributable to the migration of drug producers who come here to
escape stricter laws in neighboring states," said Dineen Ann Riviezzo,
chairwoman of the commission.

The Southern Tier and North County have seen most of illegal
trade.

"We need to arm local law enforcement with the tools needed to combat
this growing menace," Riviezzo continued.

Meth, also known as crank, ice or crystal, is a powerful stimulant
that can be smoked, snorted, swallowed or injected. It contains
pseudoephedrine, found in over-the-counter cold medications.

Nationwide, more than 7,000 meth labs were dismantled in 2003,
according to the Drug Enforcement Administration.
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin