KANAWHA SHERIFF ENDORSES BILL ON METH

CHARLESTON - Warning of a meth menace that is spreading statewide, Kanawha
County Sheriff Mike Rutherford says he supports the concept of new felony
crimes for cooking the drug near schools.

Rutherford joined some 30 law enforcement officers Monday at a news
conference called by Delegate Sharon Spencer, D-Kanawha, as the House
prepared to consider the Senate bill.

Last week, the upper chamber rejected amendments by Minority Leader Vic
Sprouse, R-Kanawha, to impose new felonies.

One would have imposed a long prison term for making methamphetamine within
1,000 feet of a school.

Using the same line of demarcation, Sprouse also wanted to create an
offense for possessing, with intent to manufacture, any common cold
medications used to produce meth.

In fact, that is the objective of the bill sought by Gov. Joe Manchin -
limit access to Sudafed and other sinus and cold medicines that contain
pseudoephedrine, a critical element in making meth.

"I think that would be a good thing to have," Rutherford said of Sprouse's
more stringent proposals.

Only a week ago, he pointed out, a lab was found operating a short distance
from a school in Campbells Creek.

By-products go airborne and can waft into classrooms, possibly sickening
hundreds of children, the sheriff said.

"If we're going to err, we need to err on the side of caution," Rutherford
said.

Moreover, he said, the threat of an explosion is "very serious," and could
endanger children if a blast occurred near a school.

Just recently, an exploding meth lab ripped apart several apartments in
Kanawha City, the officer said.

"We're finding more and more of this," Rutherford said.

At a separate news conference, Gov. Joe Manchin endorsed Sprouse's failed
amendments, saying, "That would be great. That would be wonderful."

"Anything we can do to stop the meth use and horrible advances that
amphetamines have had," he said.

The Senate bill would limit to 9 grams, or three packages, of common cold
and sinus medications bought within a 30-day period. Gel caps would be exempt.

Buyers would need to fill out forms to buy such medicines, available only
at drug stores from a pharmacist or pharmacy technician.

Martin Glasser, an attorney for Rite Aide, which has some 100 stores in
West Virginia, applauded the bill.

"We're quite concerned with the spread of meth throughout the state,"
Glasser said.

"We'd like to help in any we can."

Glasser said the bill provides controls of the sale of cold medicines, yet
allows drug stores to function "in a reasonable manner."

"We're very supportive of this effort," Glasser said.

"We'll do everything we can to help see that it gets passed."

Afterward, Glasser said drug stores have faced an increasing problem of
theft of Sudafed and other medications used in making the illegal drug.

As many as 300 illegal labs likely will be uncovered in Kanawha County
alone, Spencer said.

"This is the year to stop this kind of abuse," said Spencer, chair of the
Kanawha County caucus.

"It's a terrible, terrible thing."

If counties think they are immune from meth, Rutherford warned, "They're in
for a very rude awakening. It's everywhere. It's getting worse and will
continue to get worse until we start doing something about it."

Raleigh County Sheriff Danny Moore, a strong supporter of the bill, said
labs have surfaced in his area.

"We've busted several," he said.

Moore said a by-product of such criminal activity is a flood of
environmental hazards left behind when a meth maker departs.

"If you don't clean it up, you're talking about a major, $100,000 fine from
the federal government," the sheriff said.

Moore said the Manchin proposal of cutting meth production at its very
heart - the one absolutely critical ingredient - makes sense to him and
other law enforcement officials.

"It nips it in the bud, just like Barney Fife says," the sheriff said.

"You can make meth in your van, your car - just about everywhere. It's
gotten worse in the last year than it's ever been."