Pubdate: Sun, 22 May 2005 Source: Statesman Journal (Salem, OR) Copyright: 2005 Statesman Journal Contact: http://www.statesmanjournal.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/427 Author: Cynthia Pedersen Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine) FIGHT AGAINST METH MAY BE MISSING BIG TARGETS The new legislation requiring pharmacist oversight of pseudoephedrine sales is a good step to combat the growing problem of meth addiction, but it may have a limited effect. In fact, 80 percent of methamphetamine is supplied by Mexican drug cartels using "super labs" located in central California. These super labs represent only 4 percent of the meth labs in the United States. It would seem that this new legislation targeting "home" labs will not stem the flow of meth to a substantial degree. Meth addiction is particularly troublesome in Oregon and the West Coast in general. I have been reading reports that methamphetamine use is on the rise across the country, including small, rural towns in middle America. It is about time that state and federal law enforcement agencies coordinate efforts to crack down on all sources of methamphetamine and that United States government officials begin working in earnest with the governments of countries which have chemical manufacturers that sell the methamphetamine cartels the bulk supplies needed for production. We should immediately address this problem on all fronts; otherwise, as a society, we will continue to pay a heavy price for our inaction. - -- Cynthia Pedersen Salem - --- MAP posted-by: Elizabeth Wehrman