Pubdate: Tue, 10 Oct 2006
Source: Sioux City Journal (IA)
Copyright: 2006 Sioux City Journal
Contact:  http://www.siouxcityjournal.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/945
Author: Charlotte Eby, Journal Des Moines Bureau

NEW TOOL UNVEILED TO FIGHT METH

Fertilizer Additive Makes It Useless To Meth Cookers

DES MOINES -- Gov. Tom Vilsack has a message for people who want to 
manufacture the illegal drug methamphetamine -- don't bother.

Vilsack and other public officials unveiled a new additive to the 
fertilizer anhydrous ammonia that renders it useless to meth-makers 
who would steal it from farms and use it to cook the illegal drug.

"It is an important day for safer communities and safer children in 
our state," Vilsack said at a news conference on the steps of the 
State Capitol with a tank of anhydrous ammonia as a backdrop.

Retailers expect the practice of injecting calcium nitrate into 
anhydrous ammonia tanks will gain wide acceptance. Vilsack said the 
discovery will reduce the theft of anhydrous ammonia and cut the 
amount of meth produced in the state.

Iowa State University researchers George Kraus and John Verkade, both 
chemistry professors, tried dozens of combinations before finding 
that calcium nitrate was effective.

"We were investigating a whole raft of compounds, and finally we 
ended up taking what's called the 'Edisonian' approach: you try 
everything you can to make the light bulb light," Verkade said.

Ag retailers who participate in the voluntary program will receive a 
supply of the additive calcium nitrate, as well as "Stop Meth" signs 
they can place on their anhydrous tanks.

Vilsack said the latest discovery, which won't harm farm equipment or 
the environment, will help keep Iowa at the forefront of dealing with 
the meth issue.

The state already has put in place restrictions on the sale of 
pseudoephedrine, a common ingredient in cold medicine that is the key 
component in the manufacture of methamphetamine.

That has reduced the number of illegal meth labs shut down by law 
enforcement in Iowa by 77 percent.

U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, along with other members of Iowa's 
congressional delegation, helped secure more than $1 million for 
research into the ammonia additive. Harkin said it provides a 
creative solution to the problem that is easier than locks on 
anhydrous ammonia tanks.

"You can do one or the other, and I guess if you really want to be 
safe, you can do them both," Harkin said.

Despite those weapons against meth making, the state has a long way 
to go in the fight against a drug that breaks up families, Harkin said.

"We all know how bad it is, the enormous strain it is putting on our 
local law enforcement resources, and putting them at great risk. So 
we have to continue to find ways to stop the meth from coming into 
the state," Harkin said.

Close to 90 percent of the meth found in Iowa is brought in from 
out-of-state rather than manufactured here, said Marvin Van Haaftan, 
director of the Governor's Office of Drug Control Policy.

But he said the restrictions on anhydrous ammonia and pseudoephedrine 
help ease concern among Iowans that amateur meth makers could cause 
an explosion in their apartment buildings or expose children to the 
dangerous fumes.

Instead of using anhydrous ammonia, meth makers could potentially use 
red phosphorous, although it is a more complicated process and less 
common, Van Haaftan said.

"Our cooks in Iowa love the anhydrous meth. It's quick and easy, and 
it's potent," Van Haaftan said.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman