Meth production in decline, but the drug remains a priority for law enforcement

New laws appear to have curtailed methamphetamine production, but no one is declaring victory, especially as police officers and others struggle to stay on top of the problem.

According to a Drug Enforcement Administration report, the price of meth has risen 84 percent in the last year, which shows lab production has been slowed, reports USA Today. "A gram of pure methamphetamine cost $245 in September, up from $133 in October 2006," writes Donna Leinwand. "New state and federal restrictions on ingredients used to make meth have contributed to a decline in homegrown drugs produced in small labs, [Office of National Drug Control Policy spokesman Scott] Burns says." (Read more)

The Austin American-Statesman reports that in Texas, however, police often do not check the logs created to chart who is buying drugs that contain the ingredients for meth. Two years ago, the Texas Legislature mandated pharmacies record purchases of Sudafed and other over-the-counter medicines with ephedrine and pseudoephedrine, but most law enforcement officers say they do not have time to check the paper logs, writes Mary Ann Roser. "Several Central Texas law enforcement officials said the lack of a centralized database, for which the Legislature did not provide the funding, means they can't just punch in a name and see how often an individual is buying the cold medications in stores around Texas."

Still, that law — coupled with a 2006 federal law limiting the amount of such drugs any one person can buy — has helped cut down on the number of meth labs in the state. At the same time, meth use remains high, and officials worry that the rising price of meth may encourage others to start making it. (Read more) Also, imports of the drug form Mexico appear to have increased.

In a related story, Utah has begun funding a controversial program to treat officers who have been exposed to meth, reports the Salt Lake Tribune. Currently, eight officers are undergoing the detoxification treatment, which is based on the teachings of Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard, write Nate Carlisle and Lisa Rosetta. Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff is paying the $50,000 price tag for the program, which has not been medically proven to work, and wants Gov. John Huntsman Jr. to put up another $140,000 treat 20 more officers. The officers in the program, however, say the program has done wonders for them. (Read more)