Pubdate: Sat, 13 Aug 2005
Source: Washington Times (DC)
Copyright: 2005 News World Communications, Inc.
Contact:  http://www.washingtontimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/492
Author: Robert Charles
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/heroin.htm (Heroin)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/oxycontin.htm (Oxycontin/Oxycodone)
Note: Robert Charles, former assistant secretary of state for international 
narcotics and law enforcement, 2003-2005, is currently president of The 
Charles Group, Gaithersburg, Md.

GOOD NEWS IN THE DRUG WAR

Big victories in the drug war are seldom big news. Good news violates the 
old adage that "what bleeds leads," especially in competitive nightly news. 
But there is good news and it needs airing. It also leads to next steps.

You know, drug war stories are like castor oil. They might be good for you, 
but they are no fun to read. Yes, drug overdoses ended 20,000 young lives 
in 2003, crushing dreams, leaving gaping holes in families, schools and 
communities. But that stuff hurts to read. Don't you flip past that to the 
far away news?

Yes, drugs fund terrorism from Colombia to Afghanistan, but we are on that, 
aren't we? Surely that stuff is being handled by state and federal law 
enforcement. Do we have to be reminded -- again -- that we live in the 
midst of hidden dangers? Who needs that? Where's the sports page?

Slow down. Here are some facts for parents, grandparents, teachers, policy 
makers and the newsroom -- and then some good news. First, talking with 
kids -- even if it's a bit awkward -- about what you are about to read 
could save them -- or a friend.

Second, drug purities are outrageously high. Not long ago, heroin was 7 
percent pure across the country. Today, it is between 70 and 90 percent -- 
everywhere. Emergency rooms are awash. A teen caught unaware and convinced 
to try it may not get a second chance. No kidding. Heroin can be popped, 
smoked, snorted or injected. They call it opium and other seductive names.

Ask your son or daughter if they know it can kill with one use. Have they 
seen it on school grounds, going, coming? Ever seen ecstasy, E, or 
butterfly? How about cocaine, or prescription drugs like oxycontin? Ask if 
they know marijuana is often laced with PCP. Know who the sellers are? 
You'll be surprised what they know. At some point, most kids are 
approached. The number one reason most say no -- is you.

Ok, so what about methamphetamine, or meth? You know about meth, right? If 
you don't, you are behind the times. One in 20 kids has tried it. Addiction 
rates are rising. In 16 states, there are now more kids in treatment for 
meth than either cocaine or heroin.

The East Coast is getting hit by a major wave of trafficking that started 
in California a decade ago, led by Mexican "super labs" and cheap 
ingredients. Those are (you knew this) over-the-counter pseudo-ephedrine 
and ephedrine. Rapid increases in use are being recorded in Illinois, 
Kentucky, Alabama and Georgia, but Virginia, Maryland and the District of 
Colombia are vulnerable.

Meth purities doubled over the past decade. It is now 70 percent in many 
cities. Not many second chances there. A few dollars will buy enough meth 
for addiction; $25 dollars will buy several "rocks." Like the heroin, meth 
takes over, masked by increasing secrecy, kicking the unwitting teen into 
an abyss from which climbing out is often harder than escaping heroin 
addiction.

Down with that user goes her family -- parents and siblings, or children of 
the addict. From there radiate widening circles of pain. Yes, even "good 
kids" from "good families" get caught -- by the thousands. In major cities, 
between a quarter and a third of all arrestees test positive for meth.

Simple use induces unparalleled violence and depravity, as previous values 
get left curbside. Brain damage -- ugly stuff -- accompanies chronic use. 
That condition looks like Alzheimer's. Half of all states now consider meth 
the number one drug threat to kids. So, ask your son or daughter if they 
have ever heard talk of ice, speed, chalk, crystal, crank, glass, fire or 
poor man's cocaine. That's all meth.

So where's the good news? Well, this summer, the Senate Judiciary Committee 
finally approved -- with administration support -- a thorough-going 
anti-methamphetamine bill. This is more than talk.

While leaving tough state drug laws in place, the bill puts meth's primary 
ingredients -- pseudo-ephedrine and ephedrine -- behind the counter. It 
takes away easy access to these ingredients for those who were using them, 
and that is a big, good news story for kids, parents and families, not to 
mention law enforcement.

The next step is simple. If we apply international pressure to the 
ephedrine and pseudo-ephedrine producers in India, China, the Czech 
Republic and Germany -- there are only nine -- we might be able to stop at 
the source a major scourge. Of course, that's another good news story you 
won't hear. But it is worth trying all the same. Now, back to the sports page.
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MAP posted-by: Beth