Pubdate: Sun, 29 Feb 2004
Source: The Southeast Missourian (MO)
Copyright: 2004, Southeast Missourian
Contact: http://www.semissourian.com/opinion/speakout/submit/
Website: http://www.semissourian.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1322
Author: Robert Sandler, Associated Press
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

MISSOURI REMAINS NO. 1 FOR METH LAB SEIZURES

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Raids on methamphetamine labs continued to
increase in Missouri last year, and the state continued to be a clear
No. 1 in the country in meth lab seizures, according to a report
released Friday by the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

Lab seizures increased 4 percent in 2003 from the previous year, to a
total of 2,860. Iowa, which had the second-most lab incidents, had
less than half that amount. Last year was the third year in a row
Missouri led the nation.

Missouri and its eight neighboring states make up 54 percent of the
total number of meth lab incidents in the country last year, the
report showed.

Methamphetamine is a highly addictive illegal stimulant that is cheap
to produce. The drug is made from legal and easily purchased materials
such as ether, match tips and pseudoephedrine, an ingredient found in
many cold medicines.

The greatest number of meth lab seizures came in Jefferson County,
where there were 161 last year. Jasper and Franklin counties also had
more than 100 meth lab seizures last year. Two counties -- Barton and
Harrison -- had none.

Curbing production of meth is a popular goal of politicians, who have
drawn attention to the issue in recent months.

Police say the increase in the seizures of meth labs proves that law
enforcement is getting better at getting the drug off the streets. But
the report shows that even with the tough laws, production and use of
the drug continues to increase.

Planning policies

Gov. Bob Holden wants to see better meth treatment and prevention
efforts, while Attorney General Jay Nixon wants tougher penalties and
a prison especially for meth offenders. Earlier this month, more than
half the state's sheriffs signed a harshly worded letter to Holden
demanding more money to fight meth production.

Last year, legislators passed a law limiting the amount of
pseudoephedrine a customer can buy and also restricting the placement
of pseudoephedrine in pharmacies, hoping to cut down on theft of the
drug.
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin