Methamphetamine

Springfield News-Leader

The methamphetamine epidemic wreaking havoc on our Ozarks and our country has two main components: production and demand.

Congress is working to create federal regulations limiting access to cold medicines such as Sudafed and NyQuil that contain pseudoephedrine, a key ingredient in the manufacture of meth. Sen. Jim Talent and Rep. Roy Blunt of Missouri are at the lead in creating this legislation.

These efforts are based on an Oklahoma law that went into effect in April 2004. That law requires a photo ID for purchases of cold pills, creates a computerized registry and limits the amount of cold pills a person can buy in a 30-day period.

Earlier this year, the Missouri legislature passed a bill modeled on the Oklahoma law. At the time, this editorial board opposed the bill. Oklahoma's legislation had been most effective in Oklahoma City and Tulsa. In border regions of the state, it is unclear whether the legislation was as effective. Meth cooks could simply cross state lines. ... .

A single, unifying federal law would be a better situation for retailers, customers and police than the current process of random states passing legislation because they see a need. ... .

But consider that John Horton of the White House drug control office estimated one-third of meth comes from small labs and two-thirds of the meth supply is created in big foreign labs and smuggled across our borders. ... .

The key is to quell the demand for the drug. No amount of well-intentioned legislation will change that.

Meth is not a drug like other drugs. It's important that educational efforts make that clear. A one-size-fits-all approach to deterring people from using meth, marijuana, LSD and other drugs won't work. These drugs affect the brain and the body differently. People need to know the unique dangers associated with meth. One hit can destroy a person's life.

In other words, no easy answers, no slogans and no prospects for quick returns. ...