LAW MAY CUT INTO METH PRODUCTION

Inconvenience May Be Worth Safety

A nightmare for police officers came true last week in Berkeley
County, when two police officers were hospitalized after entering a
house used as a meth lab.

People who run meth labs produce methamphetamine, which, according to
the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency, is a synthetic central nervous
system stimulant that is classified as a Schedule II controlled
substance. It is dangerous, and it is distributed across the nation
under the names of "Crystal" and "Speed."

According to Michael Miller, director of the Anderson-Oconee Regional
Forensics Lab, who talked to a Beaufort audience in September, meth
can affect every facet of a community. It is dangerous to
individuals, to family, to police and to emergency workers. Not only
is it one of the most highly addictive drugs around, but also people
can make lots of money making it. Byproducts and fumes created in its
manufacture are highly toxic and are dangerous to unsuspecting police
officers and emergency workers who may have to enter a home. The two
Berkeley County drug officers were exposed to fumes while securing a
home where arrests were made. They became dizzy, and one began having
breathing trouble, according to The Post and Courier of Charleston.

Fortunately, laws are being discussed to help reduce access to
over-the-counter drugs that are prevalent in the manufacture of meth.
In North Carolina, a law that restricts the sale of some cold
medications that contain pseudoephedrine, such as Sudafed, went into
effect this week. According to The Associated Press, consumers must
request medications at the drug counter and show proof that they are
at least 18 years old and sign a drug log that can be turned over to
authorities hoping to spot buyers who travel from store to store
securing quantities of ingredients.

In the S.C. House Tuesday, a bill similar to North Carolina's law
restricting Sudafed and other cold medicines used to create meth
received second reading approval on a 93-4 vote.

Rep. Joan Brady, R-Columbia, the bill's sponsor, thinks the log
requirements would deter would-be meth producers.

It is too bad that legitimate consumers must go an extra step for
relief from the common cold, but it may be a small inconvenience to
reduce incidents similar to the one that affected two police officers
last week and has the potential to harm a great number of people.