Posted: 6/22/2004 12:47:35 PM EDT
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In another forum I mentioned that I live in the meth capital of the world and Oklahoma recently passed a law requiring the precursor to meth (pseudoephedrine) to be sold from behind the counter with a buyer signature. It seems that surrounding states are now having a problem with Oklahomans driving in to buy pseudoephedrine to make their meth and one Texas DA is now wanting a similar law for Texas. From a local news source: Recent Oklahoma restrictions in the methamphetamine war have pushed the battle lines south of the Red River and contributed to a 70 percent drop in meth lab busts in the Sooner State, authorities said. Sgt. Cindy Walker, a Wichita Falls, Texas, police spokeswoman, reported “a dramatic increase” in traffic by Oklahomans buying pseudoephedrine tablets in Texas stores. The epidemic, Walker said Monday, is a direct result of the new Oklahoma law that makes it harder to purchase pseudoephedrine - contained in popular allergy medications and a key ingredient for cooking meth. Oklahomans have been required since April 6 to show photo identification and sign for each purchase of pseudoephedrine at a pharmacy, thus leaving a paper trail. Under Texas law, a person can be charged with a second-degree felony for possessing key ingredients for meth with the intent to sell. The crime carries a penalty of between two and 20 years if convicted, but meth manufacturers still can purchase the pills at virtually any convenience store. Moving south “We’re seeing a lot of Oklahoma tags in these meth cases,” Walker said. “A lot of people from Oklahoma are coming down here to buy those pills.” Walker called the problem serious, but said, “Maybe we have to shut down the (Red River) bridge, or increase our border patrols.” Rick Mahler, Wichita County assistant district attorney, said the meth problem is increasing so rapidly that his boss, Barry Macha, plans to ask state legislators to pass a law that mirrors Oklahoma’s. The Texas Legislature doesn’t convene again until Jan. 11, 2005, though, so Mahler hopes a smaller measure can be taken locally. “We’re trying to get the Wichita Falls City Council to pass an ordinance that would require pseudoephedrine to be sold at pharmacies,” he said. “That way, we can track who’s buying what, instead of anyone being able to buy these pills at any mom-and-pop store.” In May, an Enid man was arrested by an Oklahoma Highway Patrol trooper, accused of possessing 1,100 pseudoephedrine and ephedrine tablets on a trip back from Kansas. Terry Manning Gable, 23, was indicted in federal court last week, and could face up to 40 years in prison, if convicted. But not everyone is convinced there is a “dramatic” migration of meth manufacturers crossing into northern Texas - or anywhere else, for that matter. “We had a case recently in Carter County where a meth lab bust was traced back to the purchase of pills at a convenience store in north Texas,” said Mark Woodward, spokesman for the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control. “But I don’t know if that would define the situation as dramatic. Our drug task force agents who patrol all along the state line have not seen a dramatic increase in meth traffic.” Woodward, however, is convinced the new law is having a profound effect across Oklahoma. In March, his agency reported the confiscation of 100 meth labs statewide. That number has since dropped to 62 labs in April and 29 labs in May. “That’s a drop of 71 meth labs,” Woodward said. “I’d say that’s pretty dramatic.” |
I'd be happy to relinquish it to some other state but wouldn't wish it on anyone. About 4-5 years ago a meth lab blew up in the apartment above me. The fire didn't destroy my apartment but the water from the fire department sure did! When I was let back into my apartment that evening I was astonished to find out nothing of mine was destroyed. Someone, I'm guessing the firefighters, pulled all of my belongings to the center of each room and draped huge plastic tarps over it. Great bunch of guys! |
For sure, but Oklahoma's Meth Problem needs a new PR rep. Something like they did in the 80's with coke. Maybe a couple of movies glamorising it, maybe a posh nightclub (say... studio 55) and then voila... no more problems. j/k |
Not horrible here, infact we don't even have it at all. Yup, CT is meth free...all we have is crack, heroin, PCP and cocaine |
Yeah, but your median income is higher than ours. Your kids can afford name-brand drugs. |
Back in the day, coke was the drug of the celebrities and musicians long before it reached the little people. That made it easier to glamorize. How would you glamorize crank? Show a 25 year-old white trash chick with no teeth vacuuming her trailer 12 times a day out of drug-induced compulsive behavior? |
ummm did you miss the j/k? |
I throw in the towel. You can have all our "prize-fighters".