INSIDIOUS USE OF METH

It was disheartening to discover the U.S. Department of Justice that
proclaimed Nov. 30 as National Methamphetamine Awareness Day last
year chose not to this year.

Especially considering that during the time President Bush issued the
declaration, criminals in China were disguising and shipping 43,000
pounds of pseudoephedrine, a key ingredient in the manufacture of
meth, by cargo ship to Michoacan, Mexico. This ingredient was
intended to supply one of several huge meth labs that are now being
established in Mexico, according to PR-USA.net.

As disconcerting as the federal government renouncing its initial
recognition of the massive abuse of meth is the opportunity the Utah
Methamphetamine Joint Task Force, created in January 2006, missed to
capitalize on today's date with a push of its statewide campaign,
"End Meth Now." The campaign is designed to educate Utah residents
about the effects of meth use and its impact on families.

Other areas of the state, such as Utah County, picked up the ball by
sponsoring local events. The question arises: Why did the justice
department and the State Task Force not keep the momentum going with
a continuation of a 2nd Annual National Methamphetamine Awareness
Day? Considering that Utah women of child-bearing age are major users
of meth - a viciously addictive synthetic stimulant that affects the
pleasure centers of the brain - it is vital that focused attention be
given to the rampant problem that destroys lives. Nearly 36 percent
of Utahns in treatment for illegal drugs are addicted to meth. In
2002, female meth addicts in treatment outnumbered male addicts for
the first time, according to the Associated Press.

Furthermore, meth is popular with younger age groups in Utah, with
the majority of users under the age of 35. Over 50 percent of all
meth users begin using the drug between the ages of 12 and 19.

Unlike drugs such as marijuana, cocaine, and heroin, which are
derived from plants, meth can be manufactured using a variety of
store-bought chemicals. The most common ingredient in meth is
pseudoephedrine or ephedrine, commonly found in cold medicine. Utah
is ranked third in the nation for the number of seized meth labs.

The Federal Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act of 2005, signed into
law, is now fully in effect. The bill incorporates many of the
provisions that states have enacted in recent years to stop the abuse
of cold medicine in the production of methamphetamine. The law
imposes a limitation on the amount of medications that can be sold in
a single transaction.

We acknowledge strides have been made, but it is clear more needs to
be done with the development of rehabilitation centers for mothers
with dependent children, increased drug court funding and more
resources for counseling, housing and transportation for those
getting their lives back on track.

Pulling back on a major emphasis last year to educate the public
about meth use was a big mistake, even if it was done to make way for
other programs. The federal and state government must keep its
commitment to hoist meth abuse to the forefront of community
dialogue. It will take unrelenting efforts if a dent is to be made in
the insidious use of meth.