Pubdate: Sun, 20 Mar 2005
Source: Parkersburg News, The (WV)
Copyright: 2005, The Parkersburg News
Contact:  http://www.newsandsentinel.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1648
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

BILL A GOOD START TO COMBAT LABS

The West Virginia Legislature finally seems intent on addressing the 
explosive problem of methamphetamine manufacturing in the state.

The usage and manufacture of this illegal substance has become one of the 
biggest problems facing this and nearly every other state.

Meth users often turn to crime to feed their habit, and the manufacturers 
of this substance not only endanger themselves, but their innocent 
neighbors as well.

Thanks to a push by Gov. Joe Manchin, lawmakers, it seems, finally got the 
message.

Earlier this week the Senate's Judiciary Committee unanimously passed SB 
147 after adding some provisions addressing the unlawful use of certain 
substances used in the manufacturing process. The major part of the 
legislation, which is based on an Oklahoma law, would require businesses to 
move all medications with the chemical pseudoephedrine as its main 
ingredient behind the counter.

This is the main ingredient in the cold medicine Sudafed and its generic 
counterparts. Pseudoephedrine also is the main ingredient in meth. In 
addition to moving the product off the shelf, the bill would limit the 
amount of pseudoephedrine-based products individuals could purchase during 
a 30-day period and require people under the age of 18 to sign a registry 
in order to make a purchase.  "We are trying to put hurdles in the 
production, while allowing honest people to go about their business," 
Judiciary Committee counsel Tom Smith said in published reports.

While the bill would put restrictions on the sale of a popular cold 
medicine and somewhat inconvenience the people who use it for relief from 
colds, there is no doubt this action is necessary.

The growth of meth labs not only endangers the people using the substance, 
but because of its highly volatile nature, neighbors as well. 
Methamphetamines is a highly addictive substance.

In all-too many cases, when individuals become addicted, obtaining meth is 
their sole means for living.

And unlike other drugs, because of the common ingredients used to make meth 
and relative ease of obtaining these ingredients, its use has exploded all 
across the country.

Wood County law enforcement officials have long called for tougher measures 
in dealing with meth labs. As Parkersburg Police Chief Bob Newell told the 
newspaper, "We've been waiting for five years in this area for any kind of 
action."

Part of the reason for Newell's concern is Wood County was a hub of meth 
activity.

However, our law enforcement agencies aggressively attacked the problem 
through the creation of the inter-agency Parkersburg Narcotics Task Force. 
While there are still meth labs here, there are not as many. Meth makers 
have spread to other parts of the state, especially in Kanawha County, 
which may be one reason the problem is finally being recognized by the 
Legislature.

This bill, if passed, will be one step in the right direction.

It can't, however, be the only step. It will slow-not stop-the growth of 
meth labs. Eventually enterprising people will devise ways of getting the 
ingredients they need. Lawmakers need to give law enforcement the tools it 
needs to keep up when this happens.
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MAP posted-by: Beth