Pubdate: Thu, 19 Jan 2006
Source: Beaufort Gazette, The (SC)
Copyright: 2006 The Beaufort Gazette
Contact:  http://www.beaufortgazette.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1806
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

LAW MAY CUT INTO METH PRODUCTION

Inconvenience May Be Worth Safety

A nightmare for police officers came true last week in Berkeley 
County, when two police officers were hospitalized after entering a 
house used as a meth lab.

People who run meth labs produce methamphetamine, which, according to 
the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency, is a synthetic central nervous 
system stimulant that is classified as a Schedule II controlled 
substance. It is dangerous, and it is distributed across the nation 
under the names of "Crystal" and "Speed."

According to Michael Miller, director of the Anderson-Oconee Regional 
Forensics Lab, who talked to a Beaufort audience in September, meth 
can affect every facet of a community. It is dangerous to 
individuals, to family, to police and to emergency workers. Not only 
is it one of the most highly addictive drugs around, but also people 
can make lots of money making it. Byproducts and fumes created in its 
manufacture are highly toxic and are dangerous to unsuspecting police 
officers and emergency workers who may have to enter a home. The two 
Berkeley County drug officers were exposed to fumes while securing a 
home where arrests were made. They became dizzy, and one began having 
breathing trouble, according to The Post and Courier of Charleston.

Fortunately, laws are being discussed to help reduce access to 
over-the-counter drugs that are prevalent in the manufacture of meth. 
In North Carolina, a law that restricts the sale of some cold 
medications that contain pseudoephedrine, such as Sudafed, went into 
effect this week. According to The Associated Press, consumers must 
request medications at the drug counter and show proof that they are 
at least 18 years old and sign a drug log that can be turned over to 
authorities hoping to spot buyers who travel from store to store 
securing quantities of ingredients.

In the S.C. House Tuesday, a bill similar to North Carolina's law 
restricting Sudafed and other cold medicines used to create meth 
received second reading approval on a 93-4 vote.

Rep. Joan Brady, R-Columbia, the bill's sponsor, thinks the log 
requirements would deter would-be meth producers.

It is too bad that legitimate consumers must go an extra step for 
relief from the common cold, but it may be a small inconvenience to 
reduce incidents similar to the one that affected two police officers 
last week and has the potential to harm a great number of people.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom