SC SEES DECLINE IN THE NUMBER OF METH LABS

But Treatments Centers Report Rising Admissions for Those Using The Drug

CHARLESTON - New state and federal laws targeting methamphetamine
makers and users might be contributing to a decline in the number of
labs in South Carolina, but officials warn that the drug is still
affecting many people.

The top Drug Enforcement Administration agent in South Carolina said
officers are seeing fewer meth labs nationwide.

"We're seeing the same results that other states have seen, that the
meth lab numbers are going down," John Ozaluk said. But "that doesn't
mean that our meth problem has gone away."

New state and federal laws may be contributing to the decline.

A federal law requires pharmacies and other vendors to keep cold
medicines with ephedrine and pseudoephedrine, essential ingredients
for meth labs, behind the counter or in locked cabinets. Also, the
amount an individual can purchase is limited, and buyers must show
photo identification.

"Just that action itself has really been helpful," said Dorchester
County sheriff's 1st Sgt. Michael Miller, referring to the federal law.

Miller's agency raided 18 labs in 2005 compared with five this year.

A state law that went into effect in November includes some of the
federal requirements and creates special penalties for making meth in
the presence of a child.

However, public treatment centers in South Carolina have seen a
steady increase in meth-related admissions since 2000.

Statewide, 971 people were admitted to treatment programs run by the
Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services last fiscal year,
mostly in the Upstate. That compares with 848 in 2005 and 501 in
2004, according to the agency.

The DEA thinks fewer local labs are making meth, but suppliers from
outside South Carolina are filling the void.

"A large percentage of that is coming from Mexico," Ozaluk said.
"This is unfortunately another drug that gets put in that
transportation pipeline that makes its way to South Carolina."