Is Meth A Problem In Your State???

[ls317]

It creates a potent, long-lasting high—until the user crashes and, too often, literally burns. How meth quietly marched across the country and up the socioeconomic ladder—and the wreckage it leaves in its wake. As law enforcement fights a losing battle on the ground, officials ask: are the Feds doing all they can to contain this epidemic?

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8770112/site/newsweek/

[Pathwalker]

1. They recently busted a VAN that was a meth lab

here in mid-Michigan. They were driving around town while it cooked - the smell gave them away.

[marbuc]

2. I was in WV for a few months late 04/early 05

and it is a huge problem there. There were two or three stories on busted labs during the nightly news, and I was frequently begged for change by meth users.

[xultar]

3. I don't care about meth cuz no one cared about crack when Blacks

were the main victims.

So. I could give a shit.

[ls317]

6. This isnt about race at all....

The damage from this drug is efffecting all people regardless of what race or class of people they are.

[shanti]

7. thank you

that was a very ignorant thing for that poster to say. of course it affects all races of people. it's just that meth now has the benefit of the internet to provide this info, whereas in the 80's, there was none (not denying that racism was very much a part of the crack epidemic).

[xultar]

22. True. But I still don't give a shit.

[VADem11]

4. It is a problem

Mainly around the economically depressed areas but there are meth users in my area as well.

[shanti]

5. very much so...

i live in california. the sacramento valley area is a hotbed. meth has touched my extended family too. my brother kicked an ugly meth habit 2 years ago. he's still clean and sober to this day. crank is a terrible terrible drug.:-(

[NaturalHigh]

8. Oklahoma here.

Yes, the meth problem is bad. Meth production has gone down since the legislature passed a law mandating that pseudoephedrine be sold behind the counter, but meth usage is still out of control.

[Viva_La_Revolution]

9. OR, CO and AZ

in OR now, yes
in CO 6 years ago, yes
in AZ 8 years ago, yes

It's everywhere.

on a side note..
A recent local news report here in OR, they first stated that local meth labs are a small part of the problem, most of it comes from Mexico. Then they interviewed the cop on the task force, and he's all gung ho for the new law about selling cold meds OTC, and how after they take care of the local labs they can move on to dealing with the smugglers. WTF? I hope that was just a miss-statement!
If not, why are they spending so much time going after the small kitchens here and not concentrating on the mass quanties that are being smuggled in?

Everytime they manage to ban one of the ingredients, there is a week or two of decreased activity, but very shortly some tweeker cook has figured out a substitute. Until we get to the root of why people use, and change that - this stuff will continue to ruin people's lives.

imho

[quinnox]

10. The Oregonian recently did an article about its popularity

Apparently, some gays use it for sex parties, there was a front page article about one, he lost everything, a great high paying career, and now has to live with his brother. He is clean though now. But of course it isn't just gays that get hooked, others do as well. Apparently meth is turning into a major problem in Oregon.

[Maru Kitteh]

11. HUGE problem in Nebraska

Lots of great access to anhydrous ammonia here so there are plenty of labs everywhere.

Lots of very sad addiction. All of their kids look the same. Malnourished, stringy hair and their clothes and bodies have not been washed for literally months.

It's a sick, sad situation. If you read Fast Food America you can see how this atrocity has followed the rise of industrial factory farming and meat production, and here in Nebraska you can really see it firsthand. The meth plague is WAY worse in the towns with meat factories.

[DefenseLawyer]

12. There are some things about meth

that make it different from cocaine and heroin, as far as distribution is concerned. Cocaine and heroin obviously have to be imported. There is a black market which is used to import the drugs. Those doing the importing are doing so as a business venture- to make a profit. Meth is different in that the importer is not needed. Most of those who make and distribute meth are simply users who find it cheaper to make than to buy. There is no profit motive at all. Often times the distribution involves no money changing hands at all. The users obtain the raw materials and provide them to the cooker, who "pays" them in meth and keeps some for his own use. Meth is only going to be stopped with treatment. The cookers are users. If you lock up the cookers, without providing treatment for those addicted, other users will immediately become cookers themselves to feed the habit.

[VTMechEngr]

13. Side rant on Sudafed:

I'm getting tired of getting the "eye" anytime I go to Walgreens to buy sudafed. I swear the next pharmacist to ask me why i'm buying Sudafed gets a Snot ball right in the eye. If he complains, I'll be like, sorry, I sneezed. Sudafed please.

Its nuts that I have to ask and show ID to get an OVER THE COUNTER DRUG!

[ls317]

14. Its the Same Here

You have to show ID.... and sign a form....( with all of your personal information)

[JDPriestly]

17. How much Sudafed does it take to make Meth?

The ingredient in Sudafed that can be made into Meth is just one of a number of Sudafed ingredients, I assume. How does that work? Are the manufacturers of Meth buying Sudafed wholesale? If I were to buy one packet, how could that be a problem? I take a Sudafed when I fly on a plane so that I don't get terrible pain in my ear. I buy it every few years. Why don't they just make it a prescription drug if it is such a problem?

[cookiebird]

15. Ohio

Summit county is our state's leading location for meth labs.
I live in Portage county, right next door. It is becoming the number one reason for a bust in both counties. It is very dangerous to make, and there have been several house fires and explosions because of it.

[laura888]

16. Rural Texas

I don't live there, but my friend does. She works in the mental health field and says she has seen a lot of abandoned children due to Meth.

[dalaigh lllama]

18. Missouri? oh yeah

I think we were -- and may still be -- the meth capital of the nation.

[Maru Kitteh]

20. You'll have to fight us in Nebraska for that title :-(

It's very sad.

[madrchsod]

19. it was around here but the cops busted

about 5-7 labs and dealers so it`s been kind`a quiet. even in ronny reagan`s hometown people do alot of meth.

[helderheid]

21. BIG problem in Utah

Drug of choice for very busy moms

[Sgent]

23. Sudafed

especially is desired, since its pure psudoephedrine -- vs. Clariton D or the others which have additional drugs, thus are more expensive.

This is a horrible problem in my rural area.