FIGHTING OUR METH WOES

Gov. Bob Holden wants to combat the explosion of methamphetamine
laboratories in Missouri (no pun intended) by educating the public on the
dangers of the drug and promoting research on and access to treatments.

We are puzzled anyone could have been so insulated over the years that they
don't understand the dangers inherent in meth making and its use. There are
stories almost daily in newspapers and on television about meth-lab
seizures. Law enforcement officials must don special protective gear
because of the toxic fumes. And the ingredients in making meth are so
volatile a spark can trigger an explosion.

As for those people who use meth, well, they are putting things into their
bodies made with ether, antifreeze, fertilizers and cold medicines, along
with who knows what else has been tossed in for good measure. Is it
possible that they don't fathom the jeopardy they put themselves in by
using a concoction blended by amateurs according to a formula they were
sold, or found on the Internet, and made in a garage, motel or basement lab
under less than sanitary conditions?

Unfortunately, it would seem there are many who don't know, or don't care.
They need information. The perils of meth addiction and its manufacture are
real. Missouri is the nation's capital for the seizure of drug labs. Last
year, nearly 3,000 were closed by police and sheriffs' departments.

Sadly, meth will remain a problem in this state and elsewhere so long as
people are standing in line to give their money to those who make the drug.
Education may be their only salvation.