ON THE STREET

This week the Southeast Missourian asked, "Why do you think Missouri ranks second in the United States in illegal methamphatamine production?"

Chris Jung, Cape Girardeau

"Probably because this is a good pathway from Florida. And we have a lot of rural areas in Missouri where people can produce it without being detected. In the big city you've got too many neighbors."

Jim Downing, Carbondale

"Possibly because of the depressed economy in the area."

Paul Jones, Cape Girardeau

"It's a possibility because of the vast area where there is not a large population that people can go out there and set those labs up inconspicuously. Missouri is kind of centrally located in the country as far as different routes to different parts of the county. Being in a remote area, they are still not very far away from major highways that can take them anywhere they want to go."

Dan Rau, Cape Girardeau

"I think it's just where all the highways run through. Fifty-seven is a straight shot to Chicago as well as Texas and then you've got I-44 and I-70. It's just easy to move stuff around."

Det. John Brown, Cape Girardeau

"We truly don't know. It's been speculated that our law enforcement is more acutely aware of the problem here and became aware of it earlier than some other law enforcements, and as a result we've targeted that type of investigation. Other cities have20interstates by them and have a bigger population area and have a bigger customer base than we do. I think that (the rural area) might have some effect."