GOVERNOR: LAW LED TO FEWER METH LABS IN STATE

They've found them in homes and cars, in motel rooms, even storage
sheds and barns.

But a year after a law to keep pseudoephedrine off store shelves went
into effect, the state's law enforcement officers are finding a lot
fewer methamphetamine labs.

And, at a press conference Tuesday at the State Capitol, Gov. Dave
Heineman pointed to the 80 percent drop as proof that the state's
"anti-meth law" is working.

A bar chart beside him laid out the numbers. From Sept. 4, 2004, to
Sept. 3, 2005, there were 322 meth labs reported in Nebraska. The
next 12 months, saw just 53.

The difference? Heineman said it's thanks to LB117, a law that went
into effect on Sept. 4, 2005, and put pseudoephedrine-based cold
medicines behind store counters and restricted sales to no more than
1,440 milligrams a day to those 18 or older who show an ID.

"It made a real difference and I appreciate all the work that was
done in the legislature to make this happen," Heineman said.

The federal government since has followed states like Nebraska and
Iowa creating similar nationwide legislation, he said.

Nebraska State Patrol Col. Bryan Tuma said by restricting the sale of
the cold medicines it has taken away one of the main ingredients used
to make meth.

It was never intended to solve the state's meth problem, he said.

"It was, and is, intended to help solve the state's meth lab problem."

Tuma said the vast majority of meth is brought into Nebraska from the
Southwest U.S. and Mexico. But in the past most of the state's drug
resources were used to uncover and dismantle meth labs, "a dangerous,
expensive and time consuming process."

"With LB117 reducing the numbers of labs, our investigators can now
focus their attention on dealers who bring this dangerous drug across
our borders, and dedicate more effort at stopping the meth and other
illegal drugs from reaching our communities and neighborhoods," Tuma said.

He cited two recent investigations -- one in Dawson County and one in
the Grand Island area -- that together led to 30 arrests involving
more than 1/4 pound of methamphetamine and 2 pounds of marijuana.

Tuma said with the success of LB117 and by working with partners in
drug task forces across the state, they now are able to dedicate
resources needed to pursue investigations, which often take months to complete.

"But when they are finished they do take drugs off our streets and
put dozens of people responsible behind bars," he said.

Tuma said there's still work to do.

"Make no mistake, meth continues to be a problem," he said.

Heineman said methamphetamine has ensnared the state's communities,
young people and families, and he's talked with teachers in
elementary schools and foster care families dealing with the problem.
Much more must be done, he said.

"It's impacting a lot of lives in a lot of different areas of our
state. It's a very serious problem," Heineman said.