Pubdate: Sun, 30 Jan 2005 Source: Paris News (TX) Copyright: 2005 Paris News Contact: http://www.theparisnews.com Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/997 METH PRODUCTION SPREADS THROUGH REGION We have become keenly aware in recent years that the production, sale and use of methamphetamine is rapidly increasing on both sides of the Red River. There is a rural epidemic of meth use in this region that endangers the lives of not only those who make and use the illegal drug but also the lawmen working to curb it proliferation. Last year, Oklahoma lawmakers addressed the problem in that state by enacting legislation restricting the sale of pseudoephedrine, a key ingredient in the manufacture of meth. However, that legislation prompted manufacturers to either move their operations south or purchase pseudoephedrine in Texas for meth labs still operating in Oklahoma. What began as one story about the use of pseudoephedrine in meth labs has prompted The Paris News to commission staff writers Mary Madewell and Charles Richards to write a six-part series about this rural epidemic. We direct our readers to Page 1, where Part 1 of the series is published today. In the coming days, our reporters will address legislative efforts to curb meth production and use, how Paris pharmacies are using self-imposed regulations to reduce pseudoephedrine sales and thefts, and the dangers meth labs pose. We also hope to offer a one-on-one interview with a recovering meth user and take a close look at how lawmen are fighting the difficult battle to contain meth production, sales and use. Our hope is that we can educate our readers about the magnitude of the meth problem in our community. Curbing meth use should not just be a concern for lawmen and lawmakers, because this epidemic is a community problem that must be addressed from numerous fronts. Our hope is to close this series by suggesting in another editorial how the entire community can play a role driving meth labs out of the Red River Valley. - --- MAP posted-by: Josh