News (Media Awareness Project) - US OK: Editorial: Documenting Pseudoephedrine Purchases Won't |
| Title: | US OK: Editorial: Documenting Pseudoephedrine Purchases Won't |
| Published On: | 2005-05-19 |
| Source: | Muskogee Daily Phoenix (OK) |
| Fetched On: | 2008-08-20 09:00:11 |
DOCUMENTING PSEUDOEPHEDRINE PURCHASES WON'T STOP METH USE
Editorials in "Editorially speaking" are the institutional opinions of
the Muskogee Daily Phoenix's six-member Editorial Board.
Columns, commentaries, letters and cartoons on the Opinion Page are
the views of their respective writers and artists and do not
necessarily reflect the opinions of the Editorial Board.
Letters, opinion columns, articles, photos, artwork and other material
submitted to the Phoenix may be published or distributed in print,
electronic and other forms.
To respond to this editorial, e-mail opinion@muskogeephoenix.com
Oklahoma lawmakers continue their battle to stop the manufacture of
methamphetamine by Oklahomans, but their efforts won't have much
impact on its widespread use.
State legislators recently passed House Bill 1507. The law establishes
a tracking system that will identify anyone who purchases
pseudoephedrine, a major component of meth. It takes effect Nov. 1.
The new law, coupled with House Bill 2176 approved last year that sets
limits on sales of pseudoephedrine, likely will help curb the
manufacture of meth in the state. Setting limits on sales has made a
difference, said Dick Huitt, District 15 Drug Task Force field
supervisor in Muskogee.
The average number of meth labs seized per month before House Bill
2176 was 92, Huitt said. That number has dropped to 36, he said.
The new laws certainly will benefit the state by reducing the dangers
drug makers and, too often, their innocent children face when cooking
meth. They also will benefit police who risk their lives when busting
these labs.
But most of the meth consumed in Oklahoma comes from Mexico and
elsewhere, federal drug agents say. It is shipped into isolated rural
areas in the state, then distributed to populated areas.
The state may be doing all it can to fight this battle, but despite
its efforts meth will continue to ruin the lives of Oklahomans who
choose to use.
If Oklahoma wants to curb or stop meth use, it must address the whole
problem, not just one of the contributing elements.
Editorials in "Editorially speaking" are the institutional opinions of
the Muskogee Daily Phoenix's six-member Editorial Board.
Columns, commentaries, letters and cartoons on the Opinion Page are
the views of their respective writers and artists and do not
necessarily reflect the opinions of the Editorial Board.
Letters, opinion columns, articles, photos, artwork and other material
submitted to the Phoenix may be published or distributed in print,
electronic and other forms.
To respond to this editorial, e-mail opinion@muskogeephoenix.com
Oklahoma lawmakers continue their battle to stop the manufacture of
methamphetamine by Oklahomans, but their efforts won't have much
impact on its widespread use.
State legislators recently passed House Bill 1507. The law establishes
a tracking system that will identify anyone who purchases
pseudoephedrine, a major component of meth. It takes effect Nov. 1.
The new law, coupled with House Bill 2176 approved last year that sets
limits on sales of pseudoephedrine, likely will help curb the
manufacture of meth in the state. Setting limits on sales has made a
difference, said Dick Huitt, District 15 Drug Task Force field
supervisor in Muskogee.
The average number of meth labs seized per month before House Bill
2176 was 92, Huitt said. That number has dropped to 36, he said.
The new laws certainly will benefit the state by reducing the dangers
drug makers and, too often, their innocent children face when cooking
meth. They also will benefit police who risk their lives when busting
these labs.
But most of the meth consumed in Oklahoma comes from Mexico and
elsewhere, federal drug agents say. It is shipped into isolated rural
areas in the state, then distributed to populated areas.
The state may be doing all it can to fight this battle, but despite
its efforts meth will continue to ruin the lives of Oklahomans who
choose to use.
If Oklahoma wants to curb or stop meth use, it must address the whole
problem, not just one of the contributing elements.
Member Comments |
No member comments available...
