Pubdate: Sat, 09 Aug 2008 Source: Columbian, The (WA) Copyright: 2008 The Columbian Publishing Co. Contact: http://www.columbian.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/92 Author: John Branton, Columbian Staff Writer Note: Branton covers crime and law enforcement for The Columbian Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine) LEGAL DRUG IS KEY TO METH Is it possible that methamphetamine, for more than 20 years Clark County's most sinister illegal drug, can be controlled? The addictive stimulant is still flowing freely into the community in the hands of Mexican smugglers, officials say. That's one reason the number of local meth labs raided here has been small, officials say. It's easier to just buy it. But change may be coming, said Cmdr. Rusty Warren with the Clark-Skamania Drug Task Force. Mexico last year tightened its restrictions on pseudoephedrine, the ingredient in many cold medicines that's the most common way to cook meth. A doctor's prescription is required to get cold medicines containing the substance in Mexico, according to the Associated Press. The country has well-known crime problems involving drugs, so enforcement of restrictions there could take a while. Warren thinks it will happen, but is wary. "As Mexico moves toward being 'pseudo-free,' I think we're going to see an increase of meth labs" here, Warren said. That hasn't happened yet, he said. Busts last month included: Police seized 1 1/2 pounds of meth at an alleged drug house in the Burton area. In a raid near Orchards, police said they busted a dealer who had $15,000 worth of meth in his pants pocket. A possible good sign for Clark County residents is that the price of meth has risen to between $22,000 and $25,000 per pound, Warren said. He said that could reflect a declining supply in this area. If the flow of finished meth from Mexico can be slowed, and if Warren is correct in predicting more local labs will spring up, measures are well under way to clamp down on cold-medicine purchases by meth cooks. Oregon law requires a prescription to get such medicines. Meth-related crime "is regarded by Oregon law enforcement agencies as the area's greatest drug threat," according to a report released Thursday by the Oregon High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Program. Washington law doesn't require a prescription, but it says the medicines must be kept behind the counter, and that pharmacists must log personal information from buyers. The problem with that is "smurfing," in which meth cooks go from store to store, buying their legal limit at each, Warren said. A massive statewide computer database is being discussed that might prevent that. "If they go to the next store and try to purchase it, the sale would be declined," Warren said. However, Warren figures such a computer system would cost too much. He's recommending that Washington lawmakers make pseudoephedrine a prescription drug, and said he's working with state Rep. Deb Wallace, D-Vancouver, to make it happen. Another possible good sign in the fight against meth: In some cold medicine formulations, pseudoephedrine is being replaced with decongestants that can't be used to make meth. Warren's drug task force recently lost two of its four Vancouver Police Department detectives due to declining revenue forecasts. The interagency task force also has officials with the Clark County Sheriff's Office, Washington State Patrol and Skamania County Sheriff's Office. Warren said he's heard of no plans to disband or make further cuts in the task force. - --- MAP posted-by: Steve Heath