Pubdate: Fri, 30 Nov 2007
Source: Spectrum, The ( St. George, UT)
Copyright: 2007 The Spectrum
Contact: http://www.thespectrum.com/customerservice/contactus.html
Website: http://www.thespectrum.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2483
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

INSIDIOUS USE OF METH

It was disheartening to discover the U.S. Department of Justice that 
proclaimed Nov. 30 as National Methamphetamine Awareness Day last 
year chose not to this year.

Especially considering that during the time President Bush issued the 
declaration, criminals in China were disguising and shipping 43,000 
pounds of pseudoephedrine, a key ingredient in the manufacture of 
meth, by cargo ship to Michoacan, Mexico. This ingredient was 
intended to supply one of several huge meth labs that are now being 
established in Mexico, according to PR-USA.net.

As disconcerting as the federal government renouncing its initial 
recognition of the massive abuse of meth is the opportunity the Utah 
Methamphetamine Joint Task Force, created in January 2006, missed to 
capitalize on today's date with a push of its statewide campaign, 
"End Meth Now." The campaign is designed to educate Utah residents 
about the effects of meth use and its impact on families.

Other areas of the state, such as Utah County, picked up the ball by 
sponsoring local events. The question arises: Why did the justice 
department and the State Task Force not keep the momentum going with 
a continuation of a 2nd Annual National Methamphetamine Awareness 
Day? Considering that Utah women of child-bearing age are major users 
of meth - a viciously addictive synthetic stimulant that affects the 
pleasure centers of the brain - it is vital that focused attention be 
given to the rampant problem that destroys lives. Nearly 36 percent 
of Utahns in treatment for illegal drugs are addicted to meth. In 
2002, female meth addicts in treatment outnumbered male addicts for 
the first time, according to the Associated Press.

Furthermore, meth is popular with younger age groups in Utah, with 
the majority of users under the age of 35. Over 50 percent of all 
meth users begin using the drug between the ages of 12 and 19.

Unlike drugs such as marijuana, cocaine, and heroin, which are 
derived from plants, meth can be manufactured using a variety of 
store-bought chemicals. The most common ingredient in meth is 
pseudoephedrine or ephedrine, commonly found in cold medicine. Utah 
is ranked third in the nation for the number of seized meth labs.

The Federal Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act of 2005, signed into 
law, is now fully in effect. The bill incorporates many of the 
provisions that states have enacted in recent years to stop the abuse 
of cold medicine in the production of methamphetamine. The law 
imposes a limitation on the amount of medications that can be sold in 
a single transaction.

We acknowledge strides have been made, but it is clear more needs to 
be done with the development of rehabilitation centers for mothers 
with dependent children, increased drug court funding and more 
resources for counseling, housing and transportation for those 
getting their lives back on track.

Pulling back on a major emphasis last year to educate the public 
about meth use was a big mistake, even if it was done to make way for 
other programs. The federal and state government must keep its 
commitment to hoist meth abuse to the forefront of community 
dialogue. It will take unrelenting efforts if a dent is to be made in 
the insidious use of meth.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom