STATE'S NEW METH LAW HAS FEDERAL ATTENTION

A new Oklahoma law aimed at curbing methamphetamine production has
grabbed the attention of federal officials.

Scott Burns, White House deputy drug czar, said his trip to Oklahoma
on Monday was the initial step in studying whether Oklahoma's law
could be applied nationally.

"President Bush sent me here. Drug czar John Walters sent me here to
find out what they are doing in Oklahoma that has made such a dramatic
difference," Burns said. "So far the results are remarkable. I
traveled the country from Massachusetts to California to Texas and
every village and hamlet in between, and they all want to know: How is
it that Oklahoma has reduced drug labs by 50 to 70 percent in such a
short amount of time."

The law, written by state Rep. John Nance, R-Bethany, and Sen. Dick
Wilkerson, D-Atwood, requires decongestants that contain
pseudoephedrine to be placed behind the counter at licensed
pharmacies, and buyers must show identification.

Meth producers and users buy the medicine for the pseudoephedrine, one
of the key ingredients in meth.

U.S. Rep. Ernest Istook, R-Warr Acres, joined Burns in Oklahoma and
previously talked with White House drug czar John Walters, asking him
for the study.

Oklahoma was the first state in the nation to ban the store sale of
pseudoephedrine tablets.

The Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control said the
new law is making a difference.

In March, the agency reported the confiscation of 100 meth labs
statewide. That number dropped to 62 labs in April and 29 labs in May.

Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics Director Lonnie Wright said the law won't
completely eliminate the state's meth problem.

"But everything we do helps," Wright said.

Earlier this year, U.S. Rep. Brad Carson, D-Claremore, introduced
legislation calling for a federal law similar to Oklahoma's law.

Burns said part of the study will be to determine whether this type of
law can be applied nationally or if it's better left to each state.

"The bottom line is because of this insidious drug, and because of the
effects on our children and the effects on each and every life that
uses it - we're not going to wait," Burns said. "Oklahoma was able to
lead the way, and we will deliver that message to the other states."