Just returned from the gym and then a huge meal at Golden Coral....but in the gym learned that Watauga County..where I am now has the highest number of Meth Labs in the Nation.(:((((
Now..that is something to be proud of... REALLY.
Here's something about METH... CRIME
The Crystal Meth Epidemic
Ice. Crank. Glass. Meth. Chalk. Crystal. No matter what you call it,
methamphetamine abuse is sweeping across the United States, leaving a
devastating wake. Twelve million Americans
(http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/publications/factsht/methamph/) have tried
the drug; its effects are being felt in both urban and rural areas. Ten years
ago, there were 912 meth lab seizures; last year there were nearly 16,000
seizures. More addictive than crack, crystal meth gives users a 12-hour euphoric
high along with severe psychotic delusions, paranoia, random violence and
extreme weight loss. Its side effects include upticks in violent crime, strained
prison systems, and thousands children thrust into foster care. A new survey of
the nation's sheriffs by the National Association of Counties
(http://msnbc.msn.com/id/8472940/) found meth was " the nation's leading drug
problem affecting local law enforcement
(http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/07/05/AR2005070501081_pf.html)
agencies."
CRYSTAL CAUSES CRIME: According to the National Association of Counties' survey
of law enforcement agencies in 500 counties in 45 states, crystal meth is the
number one drug problem (http://msnbc.msn.com/id/8472940/) in 58 percent of all
of the counties surveyed. According to cops, crystal meth is driving up the
number of robberies and burglaries in 7 out of every 10 counties. That's the
case in Lewis County, Idaho, which reports a 300 percent increase in crime due
to crystal meth.
IDEAS FOR REFORM: The primary ingredient in crystal meth is pseudoephedrine, an
ingredient commonly found in cold medications like Sudafed. (It's only in the
pills; gel caps or liquid forms of Sudafed don't work.) The drug can be
extracted using harsh chemicals like battery acid, brake fluid or Draino. "The
problem is that you can get everything to start a meth lab at Wal Mart
(http://flatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050213/NEWS01/502130321/-1/archives)
," says Florida law enforcement official Sgt. Scott Behringer. There are a
number of ideas to address the problem. For example, Sens. Dianne Feinstein
(D-CA) and Jim Talent (R-MO)
(http://www.venturacountystar.com/vcs/county_news/article/0,1375,VCS_226_3904050,00.html)
recently introduced a bill to try to curb the mass sale of Sudafed, requiring
pharmacies to keep Sudafed behind the counter. Customers would have to show a
photo ID to purchase the cold medicine and would be limited to about 250
30-milligram pills a month. States like Oklahoma and California which have tried
this have seen dramatic reductions in their meth problems. The first month the
law was in effect in Oklahoma, for example, there was a 40 percent drop in
methamphetamine labs; the number of labs is now down almost 80 percent in that
state.
INDUSTRY FIGHTS BACK: Not surprisingly, powerful corporate interests, concerned
with their bottom line, are fighting the Feinstein/Talent legislation. For
example, Consumer Health Care Products Association lobbyist Mike Gardner warned,
"let's not go overboard just because it's a noble goal
(http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/issues/2005-04-14/news/dougherty.html) ."
BUSH BAILS ON THE PROBLEM: Instead of standing up to this drug crisis, President
Bush has done the opposite, cutting funds for programs
(http://www.tennessean.com/government/archives/05/03/67933037.shtml) which
fight the problem. In his last budget, Bush reduced funds for the Justice
Department's methamphetamine initiative 60 percent, from $52.6 million to just
$20 million. He also slashed anti-drug spending for high-intensity drug areas
from $226 million to $100 million. He also eliminated a $634 million grant for
state and local police. In response to the survey of sheriffs released
yesterday, White House policy analyst Dave Murray " disagreed that
[methamphetamine abuse] had reached the state of an epidemic
(http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/07/05/AR2005070501081_pf.html)
." |
