LIGHT SHED ON 'METH'

The recent arrest of two sus pects accused of manufacturing
methamphetamines in a New Cumberland apartment has shed new light on
a spreading problem.

"Meth," as it is nicknamed, is a derivative of chemicals widely
available legally to consumers. Unlike such other drugs as cocaine,
heroin or marijuana, there is not necessarily a trail of illegal raw
materials to follow and interdict. Meth users and distributors can
make the stuff in their garage.

And meth also requires no structured chain of distribution. Addicts
often get their meth from acquaintances who make and sell it simply
to support their habit, according to state Attorney General Tom Corbett.

Two or three decades ago meth was known as a bikers' drug and most
often was distributed by motorcycle gangs. It has gained wider
popularity recently because of the commercial availability of
ephedrines from which to make it.

By its very nature meth has been a drug of choice in rural areas, but
that's changing, Corbett said, pointing to last week's discovery of
the meth lab in a Harrisburg suburb -- given away by the pungent odor
of cooking chemicals.

Gov. Ed Rendell has made the fight against methamphetamines a
priority on his fall legislative agenda, proposing legislation to
restrict access to meth's raw materials, similar to laws enacted by Oklahoma.

Under the proposal, over-the-counter cold and allergy medications
containing pseudoephedrine and other products containing ephedrine
would be moved behind pharmacy counters. Purchases would be logged,
and limits established for the amount of such products sold to one
purchaser in any month. The transportation of such products would
constitute a felony if the transporter knew they would be used to make meth.

While Oklahoma reported a 90 percent decline in arrests for making
meth in local labs under its new laws, authorities haven't stopped
meth use. As a report yesterday in The Patriot-News' Review&Opinion
section noted, the crackdown on hometown meth labs has given rise to
greater traffic in meth from Mexico.

Nevertheless, whatever Pennsylvania can do to interdict and interrupt
the distribution and use of methamphetamines is a step forward.
Authorities say the meth problem is particularly acute in rural areas
because it can be manufactured locally from legal products. So
attacking this source is an essential part of the larger effort to
stem the use of this drug with its potentially catastrophic consequences.

The Legislature should give this issue top priority, too.