HOUSE PANEL HEARS ABOUT METHAMPHETAMINE PROBLEM IN KANSAS

TOPEKA, Kan. - Methamphetamine use in Kansas remains epidemic,
endangering children and filling the state's prisons, Johnson County
Sheriff Currie Myers told a House committee on Monday.

A bill before the Corrections and Juvenile Justice Committee would
require manufacturers, wholesalers and distributors of about 20
chemicals to keep a record of how much they're selling.

The chemicals, including ephedrine and pseudoephedrine, are
ingredients required for methamphetamine. Myers said the highly
addictive drug can be made using common household ingredients, which
makes it cheap and easily available.

The committee also heard a plea for money, from Cristi Cain, head of
the Kansas Methamphetamine Prevention Project.

Cain said Kansas is the only state with a comprehensive effort to
combat meth but noted that a $58,000 federal grant for the project has
run out.

Without future funding, "Kansas will lose ground in addressing the
meth problem, which is already at epidemic proportions," Cain said.

She said statistics showing a decline last year in the number of meth
labs being found, while the number of people seeking treatment for
addiction is going up.

Investigating meth cases, punishing meth-related crime and dealing
with meth-related health problems cost the state more than $23 million
a year, she said.

Myers said the use of methamphetamine burns out the dopamine system -
the pleasure center of the brain - leaving addicts with no way to
experience pleasure other than using drugs.

The dopamine system doesn't recover until 12 to 18 months after an
addict stops using meth, meaning short-term treatment programs usually
are unsuccessful, he said.

Chemical registration bill is HB 2486.

Kansas Legislature: http://www.kslegislature.org