Some area judges, prosecutors agree to new probation terms for meth convictions

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Probation for methamphetamine convictions in the 33rd Circuit Court is now likely to have a new restriction.

The Sikeston Standard Democrat reported local judges and prosecutors for the circuit court have agreed to begin adding a new condition of probation for those pleading guilty to methamphetamine-related charges. The new condition prohibits these individuals from purchasing or possessing any substance containing ephedrine or pseudoephedrine during their probation.

The idea was proposed by Kevin Glaser, coordinator of the SEMO Drug Task Force.

"I believe that implementing this condition of probation is no different than prohibiting a person with an alcohol-related crime from possessing or purchasing alcohol," Glaser said.

Glaser has discussed the idea with judges and prosecutors and so far they "are 100 percent in favor of it," he said.

Circuit Court Judge David A. Dolan confirmed Wednesday that he was among those asked to consider this restriction as an option when setting the terms of probation.

While Dolan hasn't had the opportunity to include this requirement in the terms of a probation yet, it probably won't be long before he does.

"I would say over half of our drug cases are methamphetamine cases," Dolan said.

And the recidivism rate among those convicted for meth-related crimes is high, Glaser said. "We deal with the same people over and over again as do those in the court system," he said.

Glaser noted in his written proposal that methamphetamine has a "highly addictive nature" like other illegal drugs such as heroin and cocaine but presents additional problems for law enforcement.

"Unlike heroin and cocaine, methamphetamine can be manufactured right here and by anyone," he explained. "With a few inexpensive chemicals and a couple boxes of pseudoephedrine cold medicine, anyone that wants methamphetamine can have methamphetamine. The key to controlling domestically-manufactured methamphetamine is to control pseudoephedrine."

"Pseudoephedrine is the only ingredient that is required in every type of manufacturing process to make methamphetamine," said Paul R. Boyd, prosecuting attorney for Scott County. "Whether it is the 'shake and bake' two-liter bottle method, the anhydrous ammonia 'bucket' method, or the iodine and phosphorus method, pseudoephedrine is the one ingredient that must be in every cooking process."

Glaser has been pushing for statewide legislation to restrict the availability of pseudoephedrine for some time but these efforts "unfortunately have been obstructed by the pharmaceutical industry," he said.

Several Southeast Missouri communities, including Sikeston, have passed city ordinances requiring a prescription for cold medicines containing pseudoephedrine, however. "I am hoping other communities will follow their lead," Glaser said.

Neither making pseudoephedrine a prescription medication nor prohibiting those on probation for methamphetamine from having it "will totally eliminate the manufacturing of methamphetamine," he said, "but I believe both measures will be beneficial to our efforts."

During operations in which SEMO Drug Task Force agents are watching pharmacies for methamphetamine ingredient purchases, agents often spot individuals who are already known to them as being prior offenders.

If they identify an individual who is violating probation by making a pseudoephedrine purchase, task force officers will have probable cause to take action a lot sooner and save valuable manhours.

As there are approximately 75 other cold and sinus medications on the market which do not contain pseudoephedrine and can not be used to produce meth, "this restriction will in no way interfere with any medical issue they may have," Glaser added. "Prohibiting individuals as a condition of probation from purchasing or possessing pseudoephedrine products is another step in the right direction."

"I just hope that it goes a long way in curtailing the meth production and use among drug manufacturers," Dolan said.