National Meth News and Headlines

• Mar
  04

  Tighter Restrictions Needed to Reduce Meth Production

  

  Methamphetamines are extremely addictive and the risks involved with the use of this stimulant are very serious. Pseudoephedrine is the active ingredient that's used in the manufacturing of meth and at one time could be purchased over the counter. Pseudoephedrine is found in many different cold medications. Federal laws have restricted the sale of pseudoephedrine from being sold over the counter and now individuals have to show identifications and sign for this form of cold medication.

  Many lawmakers don't feel that the restrictions that are in place right now are effective enough and they want a much tighter way of restricting the purchase of medications containing pseudoephedrine. Lawmakers want medications that contain pseudoephedrine to require a doctor's prescription in order for a person to obtain the medications. Those who oppose this requirement feel it would be too much of an inconvenience for people if they had to see their doctor and get a prescription for cold medications.

  The only way to cut down on the production and sale of methamphetamine drugs is to monitor the sale of pseudoephedrine completely according to many lawmakers because there are just too many illegal meth lab operations to keep up with.

  In Kentucky between 2008 and 2010 there were 2.5 million boxes of pseudoephedrine and ephedrine products sold. There is no way of knowing how much may have been used to produce meth in these illegal labs.

  Because meth labs have re-emerged in Oklahoma, they want much tighter restrictions set in place. In 2009 743 illegal meth labs were found and there were 818 found in 2010.

  Oregon adopted the regulation in 2006 and meth labs have decreased by 96%, meth arrests have decreased by 32%, meth treatment admissions have decreased by 33% and there was a 35% reduction in meth related emergency room admissions.

  Mississippi put the law into effect last July and meth labs are down by 68 percent.

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  Posted on March 4th, 2011

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