Biggest meth states target illegal makers

A few short years ago, the Southeast Missourian reported extensively on the explosive growth of methamphetamine in Missouri, particularly in this part of the state.

At the time, we reported that Missouri had become the meth capital of the nation, thanks to its vast rural areas where illegal meth labs can operate without detection, thanks to the abundance of anhydrous ammonia used as a crop fertilizer -- a staple of meth production, and thanks to good highway access that brings meth producers to our state.

In an editorial that followed the series of stories, we expressed concern about the lack of centralized reporting about illegal meth labs and crackdowns on producers of the highly addictive and extremely dangerous drug. In fact, it was obvious that many busts weren't being reported to Missouri officials.

Since then, meth has spread across the country. California even then was a major source of the illegal drug. In recent years, California has become the biggest producer of meth.

But Missouri State Highway Patrol statistics now show that Missouri had more busts of meth labs last year -- 1,599 -- than California.

Missouri officials have been diligent about going after every meth operation they can find. Most of them are small labs that produce only a gram or two of meth intended for personal use.

Even these small labs, however, are a serious danger to other Missourians. The mess of a meth lab is extremely hazardous long after its users have left the scene.

Also, California tends to focus on large meth operations, the kind that produce pounds of meth at a time to be sold to addicts in large cities. That state has cracked down on 1,472 of those large labs. Officials can't even estimate how many mom-and-pop labs operate without interference from law enforcement simply because there aren't enough officers to cover all of them.

Another significant finding in last year's meth statistics in Missouri is the fact that two counties in Southwestern Missouri -- Jasper and Christian -- had more meth busts than any of Missouri's 114 counties. When the Southeast Missourian was reporting on the meth crisis a few years ago, that distinction belonged to our own part of the state.

Last year's statistics about meth-lab busts offer good news and bad news. The good news is that Missouri officials are still waging a fierce fight to apprehend meth makers and shut them down. The bad news is that the number of busts continues to grow, mirroring the increase in meth production and use not just in Missouri, but throughout the United States.

The meth war is far from over. Clearly, the crackdowns in Missouri and California have caught countless meth makers and users. In spite of the overwhelming odds, that effort must continue full force.

In the meantime, Missourians can help by reporting suspected meth making and use. The only way to stop it is if the proper officials have good information.