Pubdate: Tue, 04 Apr 2006
Source: Charlotte Observer (NC)
Copyright: 2006 The Charlotte Observer
Contact:  http://www.charlotte.com/mld/observer/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/78
Author: Steve Hartsoe, Associated Press
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

NC METH LAB BUSTS DROP

Police Credit Controls On Sale Of Cold Medicines Used In Making Drug

RALEIGH - The number of methamphetamine labs busted by police in 
North Carolina dropped by a third in the first three months of 2006, 
a decline officials credited Monday to a new state law that restricts 
the sale of cold medicines used to make the addictive drug.

Authorities discovered 62 meth labs between Jan. 15, when the law 
took effect, and the end of March, compared with 91 labs in the same 
period of 2005, Attorney General Roy Cooper said.

"We still have them with us, but this new law appears to be working 
because it's much more difficult for criminals to get the main 
ingredients to make meth," Cooper said. "We were hoping to see quick 
results and we're seeing results."

In March alone, police raided 14 labs in 2006, compared with 40 labs 
found last year and 33 in 2004, according to state figures. For the 
entire first quarter, officials found 73 labs this year, compared 
with 108 last year and 81 in 2004.

The new law requires anyone who buys cold tablets containing 
pseudoephedrine and ephedrine, such as Sudafed, to show a photo ID at 
a store counter and sign a log. Most liquid, gel-capsule and 
children's forms of the medicines, not generally used to make the 
drug, remain freely available.

North Carolina in 2004 toughened the penalties related to 
manufacturing the drug and making it in front of children, but had 
seen limited success in reducing the number of meth labs.

Methamphetamine -- also called crank, speed or ice -- is cheap to 
make and often "cooked" in homes, cars or motels. Nine meth labs were 
found in North Carolina in 1999; 328 labs were found in 2005. Many of 
the busts were in N.C. mountain and foothills counties.
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