Pubdate: Sat, 25 Jun 2005
Source: Day, The (CT)
Copyright: 2005 The Day Publishing Co.
Contact:  http://www.theday.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/293
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

NOT A DRUG TO UNDERESTIMATE

Connecticut hasn't experienced problems with methamphetamine, but a lab was 
discovered in East Hampton.

The recent arrests of several people for producing methamphetamine at a lab 
in East Hampton is very troubling news for this state. Law enforcement is 
very concerned that use of the drug may take hold here. They should be worried.

Methamphetamine is similar to crack cocaine. It is an extremely addictive 
drug that devastates the users and inflicts brain damage on chronic users. 
The small labs in which 35 percent of the drug is manufactured leave behind 
the equivalent of little toxic waste dumps, which cost upwards of $50,000 
to clean up. The labs are generally found in rural and suburban areas. 
Users are generally white, middle class kids.

The central ingredient pushers use to make the drug is a product called 
pseudoephedrine, found in cold medicine. This has led 30 states to pass 
laws or consider passing laws that makes such cold medicines something 
either requiring a doctor's prescription, or an item that can't be bought 
by anyone unless he is above the age of 21, and then only in small amounts. 
Pharmaceutical companies are rushing to replace pseudoephedrine in cold 
medicine with the decongestant phenylephrine, which can't be converted to 
methamphetamine.

The Midwest and Southwest have had plenty of experience with "meth," and 
it's all bad. Chronic users have been known to experience psychotic breaks 
and violent episodes. The drug is easy to make with ingredients that are 
simple to buy. At the same time, it is extremely difficult to help meth 
addicts without highly intensive, sophisticated treatment.

This drug is not particularly prevalent on the East Coast. The Connecticut 
treatment system is virtually unprepared if methamphetamine use begins to 
spread. If one lab was found, it's a sign that the state should prepare for 
the worst.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom