MISSOURI A HOTBED FOR METH

Well, it comes as no big surprise that Missouri continues to be a
hotbed for methamphetamine manufacturers.

That's the bad news.

But there is a glimmer of good news, too. The number of meth labs
seized through the first half of this year (1,460) is running behind
the 1,655 seizures made during the same period in 2003. Is a trend
developing? Not enough to set off any celebrations among the law
enforcement community.

There are two ways, of course, of looking at the numbers. One is that
law enforcement agencies are doing an excellent job in cracking down
on meth makers. That is what the public and lawmen are hoping is being
done. The second, which gives much less reason for cheer, is that the
seizures account for only a fraction of existing labs.

Missouri has topped the national charts for meth-lab seizures each
year since 2001 and could wind up with that dubious distinction again
if the numbers for the second half of the year match the first six
months.

Oklahoma has shown a decrease in labs seized, thanks in large part to
a new law that makes obtaining the key ingredient for meth
considerably more difficult. What is alarming is that meth makers in
Oklahoma may be moving to Missouri and Kansas.

Meth is a cheap, easy-to-make drug that promises good profits for
manufacturers. For the public and lawmen, the greatest dangers involve
the toxic, unstable nature of the caustic chemicals involved and the
almost paranoid behavior of addicts.

Tougher laws, as Oklahoma is finding out, can reduce meth production
and send manufacturers scurrying elsewhere. But the laws won't stop
them. Meth will remain a public enemy until the money source dries up.
And that won't happen until users care that they are surrendering
control of their lives to an addiction.