Pubdate: Sat, 23 Jun 2001
Source: Times Record News (TX)
Website: http://www.trnonline.com/
Feedback: http://www.trnonline.com/opinions2/letters/form.shtml
Address: 1301 Lamar, Wichita Falls, TX 76301
Contact:  2001 The E.W. Scripps Co.
Fax: (940)767-1741
Author: Senator Tom Haywood, R-Wichita Falls

SHUTTING METH DOWN

Two Bills Will Speed Up The Crack Down On Producers

In recent years, with the onset of an easier way to produce 
methamphetamine, local law-enforcement officers have at times busted one or 
more meth labs per week. Due to the outbreak of this extremely addictive 
and destructive drug, we in the Legislature worked hard this session to 
pass laws providing stricter punishment for manufacturers of methamphetamine.

Two bills I sponsored this session, House Bill 2087 and House Bill 3351, 
will fight against meth production and abuse. HB 2087 holds a meth 
manufacturer liable for damages arising from the drug's manufacture, such 
as personal injury, death or property damages. Additionally, this bill 
allows prosecutors to hold meth cooks responsible for any harm caused by 
the waste products produced in the manufacture of the drug.

HB 3351 strengthens state laws regarding the illegal manufacture and 
possession of methamphetamine, makes such offenses more prone to 
prosecution and clarifies the conditions under which the intent to produce 
methamphetamine is presumed. The bill also punishes those who use 
five-gallon propane tanks to illegally transport anhydrous ammonia or who 
use anhydrous ammonia tanks without the consent of the tank owner. Under 
the new law, penalties are increased from state jail time to a state jail 
felony of third degree for such violations.

The far-reaching effects of this drug have been found to be hurtful to all 
parties involved. Aside from the fact that meth causes paranoia, 
hallucinations, aggressive behavior, and severe depression in users, it can 
result in a lengthy prison term and heavy fines for the drug manufacturers.

Also, these drug manufacturers are sometimes injured by unexpected 
explosions of the drug labs and will delay treatment or not seek medical 
attention at all because they know they will face jail time for their 
illegal activity. As for the innocent children born to methamphetamine 
addicts, who are already at higher risk of neglect and child abuse, they 
tend to grow up as asocial and incapable of bonding. Finally, the 
environmental damages of producing methamphetamine are high because it 
generates five to seven pounds of toxic waste for every pound of the drug 
produced, and cleaning up the waste from even a small meth lab can cost 
thousands of dollars.

There is still more that could be done by the Legislature to address the 
abuse of methamphetamine in North Texas, but hopefully the passage of these 
measures will deter manufactures from producing the drug and help all 
parties involved to think twice before putting themselves and others in danger.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Beth