LAW WORKS, BUT REAL PROBLEM STILL EXISTS

Methamphetamine is a huge problem in Oklahoma. In fact, according to the
federal Drug Enforcement Agency, crank is Oklahoma's "primary drug of
choice."

The reasons are simple: The high is higher than similar drugs, and
once meth gets its hooks in someone, they have to have it.

The homemade drug is a danger to those who use it, their families and
the communities in which they live. And the drug's manufacturing
byproducts are dangerous to the environment for everyone.

Lye, gas-line antifreeze, ammonia and other ingredients leave residues
and containers that can be dangerous even to breathe.

The Oklahoma Legislature recently passed a law to restrict the sale of
certain over-the-counter medicines that contain a key meth ingredient,
and preliminary reports are that the law is having an effect on
shutting down the "mom and pop" labs where the drug is produced.

We were against the law because it restricts access to the drugs by
law-abiding citizens, but we never disputed that it would be effective.

We still believe the law unfairly inconveniences law-abiding citizens,
but it seems to have had the desired impact.

The impact has been so good that states like Texas are studying
whether to copy Oklahoma's law.

We're glad the labs are being reduced, but we're still not certain the
law has addressed the real problem.

According to the DEA, "most of the methamphetamine in the state is
brought in by Hispanic organizations via motor vehicles, commercial
airlines, and mail delivery services."

Until a law addresses those methods of getting meth, the battle will
be uphill.