STATE, FEDERAL OFFICERS UNITE TO BATTLE METH

Methamphetamine Has Replaced OxyContin As The Top Drug Problem In Southwest
Virginia.

RICHMOND - State and federal authorities vowed Tuesday to work in tandem to
combat crime and addiction associated with methamphetamine, hoping to stop
the spread of a crisis that already has seeped into Southwest Virginia.

Federal prosecutors joined Attorney General Jerry Kilgore, commonwealth's
attorneys and police officers from throughout the state for a "leadership
summit" designed to raise awareness of the dangers of methamphetamine and
develop strategies to deal with them. "We have to take steps today to keep
it from getting worse," Kilgore said during the summit meeting at the
Greater Richmond Convention Center.

Methamphetamine, also known as meth and crank, is a powerful, addictive
drug that can be concocted from cold medicine and household chemicals. The
homemade stimulant has replaced the prescription painkiller OxyContin as
the top drug problem confronting law enforcement authorities in Southwest
Virginia, prompting new efforts to punish meth manufacturers and protect
those who must clean up after them.

More than three-fourths of the 78 meth labs discovered by state authorities
this year were found in a five-county area of Southwest Virginia. The
manufacturing process emits toxic vapors that can turn homes, motel rooms
and other lab sites into public health hazards.

"I hope people are learning that this is a very dangerous drug," said John
Brownlee, the U.S. attorney for the Western District of Virginia.

Kilgore is spearheading efforts to pass legislation that would double
prison sentences for manufacturing meth and ensure safe cleanup of lab
sites. Kilgore already has organized a voluntary "Meth Watch" program in
which participating retailers notify authorities about bulk purchases of
items such as cold medicine, starter fluid and drain cleaners that are used
in meth production.

Officials who addressed the public portion of Tuesday's summit called for a
comprehensive, regional approach to the problem, including stricter
regulation of the chemicals used in meth production.

"If your entire enforcement program is focused on methamphetamine lab
discovery and seizure, you will lose the battle," said Laura Birkmeyer,
executive assistant U.S. attorney in San Diego and director of the National
Methamphetamine Chemicals Initiative.

Birkmeyer singled out Oklahoma for taking an effective approach to curbing
the availability of the pseudoephedrine, a decongestant commonly used in
methamphetamine. Oklahoma this year passed legislation requiring specific
medicines such as Sudafed and Claritin-D to be placed behind pharmacy
counters and requiring customers to show identification and sign a log book
to purchase them.

Oklahoma Gov. Brad Henry sent letters to his fellow governors in September
urging them to propose similar laws.

"Nationwide success in stopping the methamphetamine epidemic will come from
a combined effort of states limiting access to key ingredients," Henry wrote.

Kilgore's legislative package contains no such regulation. A spokesman for
the attorney general said Kilgore believes the voluntary "Meth Watch"
program will effectively curb bulk purchases of methamphetamine ingredients.

Karen Tandy, the administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration, said
Virginia "should be looking very closely at all of those states" that are
considering stricter chemical regulations. But she praised Kilgore for
taking steps to crack down on those who produce the drug.

"I think it's a great package that he's put together because it's critical
to enhance the penalties," Tandy said.