MAKE METH INSPECTIONS MANDATORY

Proposed legislation in Nebraska requires inspection of previously
occupied house.

This past Sunday's front-page article and "Our View" on meth jogged my
memory to a related concern we learned of while visiting in Nebraska
last week. We were told by friends of proposed legislation making meth
inspections mandatory when purchasing a previously occupied house.
Perhaps the News-Leader could investigate this further. I have not
heard talk of this here and, judging by the state's slow reaction to
meth and the many counties lacking even building inspections during
construction, I am guessing Missouri isn't close to touching the idea.

Imagine the health problems an unsuspecting family could experience by
moving into a house that once served as a meth lab. The thought of a
hard-working family saving for a home of their own and then ending up
with a house like this just breaks my heart. This is an issue I never
thought of until talking to our friends back in Nebraska. With
Missouri being the country's "meth leader," we should be busy talking
about this danger.

Even if legislature isn't on the books anytime soon, the public can be
educated and know to request such an inspection on their own. Real
estate agents should be trained to alert unsuspecting clients to the
importance of such an inspection. (I am still disturbed that our agent
never mentioned the lack of building inspections in counties like
Christian, where we looked at many homes. The News-Leader brought this
issue to my attention after we had purchased our home ... luckily in
Greene County!)

My compliments to Matt Wagner and James Goodwin for doing a fine job
of educating the public. I hope the News-Leader staff will keep up the
good work by following through with the topic of meth lab residue.

If only one family benefits from revealing this health issue it will
be worth the News-Leader effort.

Kimberly Parten, Republic, is a stay-at-home mom.