Pubdate: Thu, 14 Apr 2005
Source: Clarksburg Exponent-Telegram (WV)
Copyright: Clarksburg Publishing Company 2005
Contact:  http://www.exponent-telegram.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1667
Author: Patrick Martin
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

WINNING WAR AGAINST METH WILL REQUIRE UNITED ACTION

Methamphetamine use is well-entrenched in many areas of this country, 
including West Virginia. Some experts even think meth is beginning to 
outstrip marijuana in popularity among teen drug users.

In fact, meth labs have been discovered in our region in ever increasing 
numbers by law enforcement personnel.

According to an Associated Press story on the subject, there were 222 meth 
lab drug busts in West Virginia in 2004 and there have been more than 140 
this year, a rate that will far exceed last year's total.

Lawmakers and law enforcement personnel in West Virginia are acutely aware 
that meth is a growing problem here.

The state Legislature has passed a measure restricting the sale of certain 
cold medicines that are used to make methamphetamine in dangerous homemade 
labs. Law enforcement employees and pharmacists think the bill should be 
somewhat effective if it is signed into law by Gov. Joe Manchin, but they 
realize it will only slow production.

"Any bill that prohibits the manufacture of meth is a step in the right 
direction," said Harrison County Sheriff's Chief Deputy Albert Marano. "And 
it gives law enforcement another tool in trying to prevent the rapid spread 
of this drug."

However, it will take increasing vigilance by law enforcement to find new 
labs to help turn the tide in this new front in the war on drugs. 
Unfortunately, it won't be easy, and the market is already there for this 
insidious substance.

One way to combat the problem is for society to be prepared to deal with 
current and future meth addicts by having drug treatment programs targeted 
at that group.

Meth is here, but for how long? Effective policing tactics and laws only go 
so far. The ultimate responsibility lies with society as a whole -- one 
which cares enough to lend a helping hand when someone has stumbled and 
fallen prey to the allure of what drugs promise and then is victimized by 
what they actually deliver.
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MAP posted-by: Elizabeth Wehrman