LEGISLATORS MUST ACT TO FIGHT THE SPREAD OF METH

Among a major concern in many parts of the county, meth has found its
way to the Huntington area, with devastating consequences.

For many illegal drug users here, meth has become the drug of choice.
With that certain demand, plenty of folks are willing to cook it up in
makeshift labs. Police say they're finding such labs in homes, hotel
rooms and even the backs of cars. Local drug counselors say they're
already seeing increasing numbers of meth addicts, and they're bracing
for the problem to get worse.

Given the threat that meth represents to our region, what can we do to
counter its menace?

Police vigilance is important but, on its own, won't defuse the
problem. An obvious step would be to look at other communities and
other states -- where meth took hold long before reaching our region
- -- and see what they've done.

Meth is made from common household items and over-the-country drugs
that are readily available. As a result, many pharmaceutical store
chains such as Rite Aid and CVS have policies limiting the amount of
decongestants such as Sudafed on their shelves.

But Oklahoma went a big step beyond that and earlier this year enacted
a law requiring that certain decongestants be placed behind the
counter at pharmacies rather than on the shelf and the buyers must
present identification and sign a log book to buy the medicine.

It's reported that Oklahoma's efforts have pushed many meth dealers
out of the state. There's every reason to believe that similar action
in West Virginia could have the same happy result. We urge the 2005
Legislature to examine the spread of this insidious drug and act to
counter it.