Pubdate: Mon, 01 May 2006
Source: Oklahoman, The (OK)
Copyright: 2006 The Oklahoma Publishing Co.
Contact:  http://www.oklahoman.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/318
Author: Michael McNutt
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

LAW MAY HONOR NARCOTICS CHIEF

Late official helped to create meth plan

The state's landmark anti-methamphetamine law should include the name
of the narcotics bureau chief who helped write the measure, the
governor said Sunday.

Gov. Brad Henry said he will ask legislators to name the measure in
honor of Lonnie Wright, who died last week.

"Under the leadership of Lonnie Wright, the state crafted an
innovative and highly effective anti-meth law that virtually wiped out
clandestine meth labs in Oklahoma and served as a model for the
national war on drugs," Henry said.

Wright, 51, a key advocate for the law to restrict the sale of a key
meth ingredient, died Thursday of a heart attack.

Wright's body will lie in repose from 7 to 11 a.m. today on the
first-floor rotunda of the state Capitol. His funeral is set for 2
p.m. today at St. Monica Catholic Church in Edmond.

Wright had served as director of the state Bureau of Narcotics and
Dangerous Drugs Control.

The governor has ordered state flags to fly at half staff today in
Wright's honor. He plans to pay his respects this morning at the Capitol.

"I think it would only be appropriate to honor Director Wright by
adding his name to the statute," Henry said. "That is the least we can
do to pay tribute to the memory of a dedicated and nationally
recognized law enforcement professional."

The 2004 legislation now carries the names of several law enforcement
officers who were killed in the line of duty in the battle against
methamphetamine.

At Wright's urging two years ago, Oklahoma became the first state to
restrict over-the-counter sales of pseudoephedrine, a key ingredient
in meth production. Since its enactment, meth lab discoveries within
the Sooner State have dropped dramatically and dozens of other states
and the federal government have copied Oklahoma's law in hopes of
duplicating its success.

The law requires all products containing pseudoephedrine, except
liquids and liquid-filled capsules, to be sold only by a licensed pharmacy.

Lab seizures totaled 104 in the month before the measure took effect.
Drug agents now average seizing about two active labs a month.

The national drug czar visited Oklahoma in March to present an award
to Wright for his work in the war on methamphetamine.

Most recently, the governor had been working with Wright and state law
enforcement officers on legislation that would strengthen penalties
for meth importers, put more undercover agents on the street and fund
methamphetamine treatment and education programs.

"After wiping out meth labs in Oklahoma, Director Wright thought it
was critical to focus law enforcement efforts on the high-grade meth
imported from Mexico and other countries," Henry said. "I will be
working with legislative leaders to help finish the work he started
this session." 
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