STATE METH LAW SERVES AS MODEL

Several other states are duplicating Oklahoma's new law in the fight
against methamphetamine production and use. "Oklahoma is a leader
nationally, and our law enforcement officials are holding out Oklahoma
law as a model that we can follow," said West Virginia Republican
state Sen. Vic Sprouse.

Sprouse said meth production in West Virginia has increased the past
few years and lawmakers are searching for ways to combat it.

In letters mailed Wednesday to all U.S. governors, Gov. Brad Henry
details the impact of Oklahoma's law restricting tablet sales of
pseudoephedrine, and encourages other states to adopt similar
regulations.

Pseudoephedrine, a common decongestant, is a key ingredient in
methamphetamine production.

According to the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs
Control data, meth lab seizures have decreased by 50 percent since the
law took effect in April.

"Nationwide success in stopping the methamphetamine epidemic will come
from a combined effort of states limiting access to key ingredients,"
the governor wrote in letters. "That is why laws similar to Oklahoma's
hold such a tremendous potential in stamping out this scourge."

The Legislature passed House Bill 2176, sponsored by Rep. John Nance,
R-Bethany, and Sen. Dick Wilkerson, D-Atwood, during the past session.

Under the measure, tablet forms of pseudoephedrine are only sold in
limited quantities behind the counter in Oklahoma pharmacies. Sales of
gel and liquid pseudoephedrine are not restricted. The law also allows
judges to deny bail to chronic methamphetamine offenders.

State narcotics bureau Director Lonnie Wright said 263 meth labs were
seized between April and July of this year, compared with 423 during
the same time last year.

Officials in neighboring states already are looking at Oklahoma's law,
which also has garnered attention from federal law enforcement
officials in Washington.

In Missouri, the Cape Girardeau County sheriff this past week asked
lawmakers to draft a law similar to Oklahoma's.

Indiana lawmakers also have plans to clamp down on meth production by
following Oklahoma's example.